Cash dispensing automated banking machine deposit accepting system and method

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine includes a mechanism for accepting deposited items. Deposited items may be provided to the machine in envelopes which are first passed to a user from an envelope storage area ( 132 ) in the machine through a transport ( 124 ) and which are presented to the user through an opening ( 244 ). An envelope storage and dispensing device ( 134 ) is operative to assure that only a single envelope is delivered to the user. A user may thereafter include deposit items in the dispensed envelope. The deposited items are passed through the opening ( 244 ) and are deposited in a deposit-holding container ( 128 ). The deposited items may be marked with indicia corresponding to the transaction or properties of the deposited item where the envelope originally dispensed to the user for holding the deposited item.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Application claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofProvisional Application No. 60/453,397 filed Mar. 10, 2003, the which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to automated banking machines.Specifically the exemplary form of this invention relates to systems andassociated methods for accepting items for deposit into a cashdispensing automated banking machine as well as for providing items suchas empty deposit envelopes to users of the banking machine that may beuseful in conducting transactions.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. A commontype of automated banking machine is an automated teller machine (ATM).ATMs are used to carry out banking transactions on a self service basis.ATMs may dispense cash to users from their account. Some ATMs may acceptdeposits. Other ATMs may perform functions such as dispensing stamps,printing tickets, producing scrip, cashing checks, printing money ordersand performing other types of transactions. For purposes of thisdisclosure any machine which is capable of carrying out transactionsinvolving transfers of value is referred to as an automated bankingmachine.

[0004] Automated banking machines which accept deposits often requirethe user to input a deposit item into the machine in which it isprocessed and/or stored for later removal by authorized persons.Sometimes the deposit item may be an envelope or other container whichholds deposit content therein. Such content may include items of valuesuch as cash, checks, money orders, gift certificates, coupons, coin orother types of instruments. When deposit items are deposited in thismanner the user is sometimes required to provide inputs through inputdevices on the banking machine indicative of the value associated withthe item that is being deposited. Typically this is a total value of thecash, checks or other content within the deposited item. The automatedbanking machine may store the information about the indicated depositvalue and/or may print value information on the deposited item alongwith a transaction number, account number or other information thatallows the deposit to be traced back to a user and/or a particulartransaction.

[0005] In order to verify the indicated deposit value, the operator ofthe banking machine often must later recover the deposit item from astorage area within the machine. The operator opens the deposit item anddetermines if the content and the actual deposit value thereofcorrespond to the indicated deposit value. In most cases the actualdeposit value corresponds to the indicated deposit value and thecustomer's account is credited accordingly. In other instances adiscrepancy is noted between the actual deposit value and the indicateddeposit value. In such cases the customer may be notified as to theamount of credit that they will be given for the deposit instead of theindicated deposit value that was provided to the machine.

[0006] Sometimes when deposited items are removed from the bankingmachine, the items are damaged. Such damage may include for example atorn or otherwise open envelope. In some cases the deposit item or theremnants thereof may not contain any deposit content. In some cases thedeposit content may be loose in the storage area in the banking machine.In other cases the content may not be found at all.

[0007] Deposited items are sometimes removed from the banking machine ina tamper indicating deposit holding container and are transported to aremote location for verification. In other situations the depositeditems may be transferred to a bag or other container at the site of theautomated banking machine. The items may be taken to a remote locationfor verification of the contents of the deposited items.

[0008] In some circumstances at the remote location the content of adamaged or open deposit item may not be found. This may present issuesas to whether the customer may have deliberately deposited an empty anddamaged envelope into the banking machine. Alternatively questions mayarise as to whether the persons responsible for removing deposits fromthe machine may have wrongfully taken the deposit content. Finallyquestions may arise as to whether persons responsible for verifying theamount of the deposit may have lost or misappropriated the content ofthe deposit item. In some circumstances because responsibility for themissing content cannot be established, the operator of the ATM maychoose to credit the customer for the indicated deposit value eventhough the deposit content has never been found. In some circumstancesthe user may be perpetrating a fraud by deliberately attempting todeposit a damaged deposit item.

[0009] Damage to deposit items may be caused by a number of factors. Theinclusion of various types of deposit items such as envelopes containingfolded notes or sheets or coins may result in irregularly shaped deposititems. The envelopes holding such items may be subject to tearing due totheir irregular contours. The tearing of such irregular shaped envelopedeposit items may further contribute to uncertainty as to the content ofdeposit envelopes.

[0010] A further potential issue with deposits is that a banking machinecustomer wishing to make a deposit may not have an envelope available.Although envelope supplies may be provided, such open supplies may besubject to vandalism and/or removal of all the deposit envelopes. Suchopen supplies may also result in unused envelopes being littered aboutthe area of the banking machine which provides an unattractiveappearance.

[0011] Further issues may arise due to the inability to mark appropriateindicia on deposit envelopes. While different types of printing deviceshave been used for marking such envelopes, it is not uncommon for suchprinting devices to experience difficulties which result in a lack oflegible printing of information on deposit envelopes.

[0012] Depository envelopes are also often difficult to dispense. Thisis sometimes due to the desire to dispense envelopes with peel-off orfold-open adhesive for holding envelope flaps in a secure condition. Theuse of such peel-off or other adhesive may avoid the need for users tolick or otherwise provide water to seal an envelope. The use of suchenvelopes may be desirable to provide more sanitary conditions. However,the presence of such adhesive mechanisms may present challenges intransporting and dispensing empty envelopes to users of the bankingmachine.

[0013] Deposit items often have significant value. For this reason,criminals may attempt to utilize fraud devices to obtain deposit items.For example, criminals may attempt to place items within a depositoryopening to capture deposit items so that they may be removed.Alternatively, criminals may attempt to utilize devices to fish outdeposited items that have already been moved into a storage area withinthe machine.

[0014] The acceptance of deposits in automated banking machines alsopose additional challenges. Some depositories may be difficult to repairor replace. Further, containers utilized for holding deposit items maybe subject to abuse or tampering.

[0015] Further features of existing banking machine depositories andsystems may benefit from improvements.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0016] It is an object of an exemplary form of the present invention toprovide an automated banking machine.

[0017] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine that recordsinformation concerning properties of deposit items.

[0018] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine that measures andrecords a thickness property of deposited items.

[0019] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide an automated banking machine that recordsinformation concerning properties of deposited items for purposes oflater comparison and verification.

[0020] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a method for verifying deposits into an automatedbanking machine.

[0021] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a method for recording properties of itemsdeposited into an automated banking machine.

[0022] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a method for determining the thickness of adeposited item when deposited into an automated banking machine.

[0023] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a method for determining responsibility for missingcontent of items deposited into an automated banking machine.

[0024] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a depository for use in conjunction with anautomated banking machine.

[0025] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a depository for an automated banking machine thatdelivers to the user an envelope at the time when a user wishes to maketheir deposit.

[0026] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a depository for an automated banking machine thatwill reliably handle envelopes of non-uniform contour.

[0027] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a depository for an automated banking machine thatprovides enhanced security.

[0028] It is a further object of an exemplary form of the presentinvention to provide a depository for use in conjunction with anautomated banking machine that provides greater reliability in printingindicia on deposited envelopes or other items.

[0029] Further objects of exemplary forms of the present invention willbe made apparent in the following Best Modes for Carrying Out Inventionand the appended claims.

[0030] Certain of the foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplaryembodiment by an automated banking machine that accepts deposit itemssuch as envelopes. In the exemplary embodiment the user provides inputsthrough one or more input devices on the machine that identify a userand/or their account(s). Inputs through input devices on the machine mayalso include an indicated deposit amount associated with a deposit item.

[0031] The deposited item in an exemplary embodiment is accepted in themachine and is sensed for thickness and/or other properties at one ormore locations on the deposited item. Information regarding thicknessand/or other properties is recorded. In some embodiments the thicknessinformation or other sensed parameters may be recorded by printing orother means directly on the deposited item. Alternatively in someembodiments the information recorded on the deposited item may becorrelated with thickness and/or other sensed information recorded in amemory accessible by a computer.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment the deposited item is stored withother deposited items in a storage area in the automated bankingmachine. Subsequently the deposited item is removed from the storagearea by an authorized person and opened or otherwise reviewed forverification. The thickness data and/or other parameters related to eachdeposited item may be reviewed for purposes of determining the contentof the item at the time of deposit. For example thickness informationrecorded concerning a deposit envelope that is empty and damaged at thetime of verification will indicate if the envelope contained materialsat the time of deposit. This may be done for example by comparing themeasured thickness of the damaged envelope to the recorded thicknessinformation. Similarly the thickness information and/or other parametersrecorded concerning an envelope that is undamaged but open at the timeof verification, will indicate whether the envelope contained items atthe time of deposit. Likewise envelopes which are damaged or open at thetime of the verification process may be analyzed by comparison to thestored data to determine if items have been removed since the time ofdeposit in the machine. Various approaches may be taken depending on theparticular system and type of deposited items.

[0033] In further exemplary embodiments a deposit mechanism is providedthat holds a store of deposit envelopes or other suitable depositholding containers within the interior of the machine. At the time whenthe user wishes to make a deposit, the machine operates so as toseparate a single deposit envelope from the supply and to deliver it outof the machine to the user. Thereafter the user may place items fordeposit within the envelope and deliver the deposit into the machinethrough the same opening through which the envelope was delivered.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment a transport is provided that iscapable of delivering the empty envelopes as well as transporting filledregular or irregular envelopes containing deposit material to a storagelocation. Further in some exemplary embodiments security features areprovided so as to minimize the risk that criminals can obtainunauthorized access through the transport to deposited items. Inaddition in some exemplary embodiments provisions are made to assuremore reliable printing of indicia on deposited envelopes by capturingexcess ink or other materials in an area away from deposited itemsand/or by providing appropriate tending for a device which printsindicia on the deposit envelopes.

[0035] Of course it should be understood that the devices, systems andmethods described are exemplary and that the principles described may beapplied to other systems and/or that additional features and functionsmay be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an automated banking machine inoperative connection with an ATM transaction network.

[0037]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a deposit item transport andcomponents for measuring properties of a deposited item and forrecording indicia on the item.

[0038]FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a deposited item that hasrecorded indicia thereon corresponding to thickness and to a particulartransaction.

[0039]FIG. 4 is a graph representative of thickness of a deposited itemover distance or time as the item passes a sensor of an exemplaryembodiment.

[0040]FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view representative of detectedproperties of an exemplary deposited item including instruments such aschecks.

[0041]FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a deposited item upon whichmachine-readable indicia representative of properties of the item havebeen recorded, and a reading device for reading the machine-readableindicia and for recovering information concerning properties of thedeposited item from a memory.

[0042]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an exemplary deposited item that isdamaged and which includes information concerning thickness recordedthereon which suggests that the item was empty at the time of deposit inthe automated banking machine.

[0043]FIG. 8 is a side schematic view of an alternative depositmechanism which is operative to dispense deposit empty envelopes to auser of an automated banking machine.

[0044]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an envelope dispensing mechanismportion of the deposit accepting mechanism shown in FIG. 8.

[0045]FIG. 10 is an alternative isometric view of the envelopedispensing mechanism.

[0046]FIG. 11 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

[0047]FIG. 12 is an end view of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

[0048]FIG. 13 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanismshown in a position for dispensing an envelope.

[0049]FIG. 14 is an end view of the envelope dispensing mechanism shownin a position dispensing an envelope.

[0050]FIG. 15 is a right side view of the envelope dispenser mechanismand transport shown with an envelope that has moved from a position fromthe supply of envelopes moving in a transport toward a customer.

[0051]FIG. 16 is a right side view of the envelope dispensing mechanismoperating to minimize the risk of additional envelopes leaving thesupply with a first picked envelope.

[0052]FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a base assembly used in conjunctionwith the exemplary deposit accepting mechanism.

[0053]FIG. 18 is an isometric view further showing the base assembly andenvelope supply for and printhead tending actuator arm used in anexemplary embodiment of the envelope dispensing mechanism.

[0054]FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a curved portion of an envelopetransport used in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment of thedeposit accepting mechanism.

[0055]FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the envelope transport portionshown in FIG. 19 with an envelope shown therein and a schematicrepresentation of the forces which act on such envelope.

[0056]FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the transport shown in FIG. 20 alongwith the transport belt and rollers used in conjunction therewith.

[0057]FIG. 22 is an isometric view of features adjacent the outer end ofthe envelope transport including the belts and rollers adjacent thereto.

[0058]FIG. 23 is a right side schematic view showing the outer portionof the transport including a gate in an open position enabling items tobe delivered from or deposited into the transport.

[0059]FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing the translation of rollersadjacent to the outer end of the transport which may occur due to theacceptance of the regularly shaped deposited items.

[0060]FIG. 25 is a front plan view of the outer end of the transportincluding the gate associated therewith shown with the gate in an openposition.

[0061]FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the outer end of the transportshowing acceptance of an irregularly shaped deposit envelope includingcoin.

[0062]FIG. 27 is a view of the outer end of the transport showingacceptance of an irregularly shaped deposit envelope including sheetsand the displacement of the roller shaft associated with such acceptancein a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 24.

[0063]FIG. 28 is an isometric view of rollers and a supporting shaftwhich may be used in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment of theenvelope depository system.

[0064]FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the rollers shown in FIG. 28.

[0065]FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing the mounting of the rollersshown in FIG. 28 on the shaft.

[0066]FIG. 31 is an isometric view showing alternative rollers utilizingsimilar mounting features to those shown in connection with the rollersin FIG. 28-30.

[0067]FIG. 32 is an isometric view of an alternative exit endconstruction for an envelope transport system including members thatfacilitate acceptance into the transport of irregularly contoured items.

[0068]FIG. 33 is a side view of the structures shown in FIG. 32.

[0069]FIG. 34 is an alternative structure for an outer end of atransport including transversely disposed envelope guides to facilitatethe outward travel of envelopes that may be misaligned in the transport.

[0070]FIG. 35 is a further isometric view of the outer end of thetransport shown in FIG. 34 including the envelope guides.

[0071]FIG. 36 is an end view demonstrating the operation of thedisclosed envelope guides in connection with handling envelopes whichare not aligned.

[0072]FIG. 37 is a top schematic view showing the outer end of thetransport with an envelope in misaligned relation therewith.

[0073]FIG. 38 is a top view of the transport with the guides showing themisaligned envelope moved further into the transport.

[0074]FIG. 39 is a top plan view of the outer end of the transportshowing the misaligned envelope in connection therewith, the transportin FIG. 39 not including the guides shown in FIG. 34.

[0075]FIG. 40 is a top plan view of the envelope transport with theenvelope shown in FIG. 39 moved further into the transport.

[0076]FIG. 41 is an end view of the transport shown in FIG. 39 andrepresenting the condition that may occur with regard to rejecting amisaligned envelope or in dispensing a misaligned envelope if the guidesshown in FIG. 34 are not used.

[0077]FIG. 42 is an isometric view of the construction of the supportingbase for the outer end of the transport.

[0078]FIG. 43 is a bottom isometric view demonstrating the assembly ofthe components of the base used in the outer end of the transport.

[0079]FIG. 44 is a side view showing the assembled members making up thebase of the outer end of the transport.

[0080]FIG. 45 is an isometric view showing the outer end of thetransport including overlying bezel and movable gate portions.

[0081]FIG. 46 is an isometric view schematically showing the componentsassociated with movement of the gate which selectively blocks access tothe transport.

[0082]FIG. 47 is a side view showing the transport gate in a fully openposition.

[0083]FIG. 48 is a side view similar to FIG. 47 showing the gate in apartially open position.

[0084]FIG. 49 is a side view similar to FIG. 47 showing the transportgate in an open position.

[0085]FIG. 50 is a view similar to FIG. 47 with the gate in a fullyclosed position in which the gate engages with adjacent structures so asto minimize the risk of unauthorized access to the transport.

[0086]FIG. 51 is a side schematic view showing an exemplary form of theportion of the transport including an inkjet printing device and afurther ink capture device or vessel for capturing excess ink from theprinting device.

[0087]FIG. 52 is an isometric view showing the ink capture device ofFIG. 51 with the access door thereto in an open position.

[0088]FIG. 53 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 52 but showing theink capture device with the access door thereto in an closed positionand schematically indicating removable rotatable mounting thereof.

[0089]FIG. 54 is a side schematic view showing the mechanism for tendingto nozzles of the inkjet cartridge of the exemplary embodiment throughwiping action.

[0090]FIG. 55 is a side view showing the inkjet cartridge of theexemplary embodiment along with a movable wiper member providing with asqueegee portion such wiping action.

[0091]FIG. 56 is an isometric view showing schematically the wipermember on the printhead.

[0092]FIG. 57 is a further isometric view showing the wiping member andthe printhead.

[0093]FIG. 58 is an exploded view of a removable deposit holdingcontainer and the movable door mechanism used in connection with anexemplary embodiment.

[0094]FIG. 59 is an enlarged isometric view of a top portion of thecontainer and the associated movable door mechanism.

[0095]FIG. 60 is an isometric cut-away view showing the construction ofthe movable door mechanism used in connection with an exemplaryembodiment.

[0096]FIG. 61 is an isometric view of the deposit holding container andmovable door mechanism of an exemplary embodiment including features forfacilitating changing the movable door.

[0097]FIG. 62 is a top isometric view showing a locking mechanism usedin conjunction with locking the movable door of the deposit holdingcontainer of an exemplary embodiment.

[0098]FIG. 63 is an isometric side view showing an exemplary mountingfor the deposit holding container and interlocking capabilities used inconnection with some embodiments for preventing access to the depositaccepting mechanism when the deposit holding container is in operativeposition.

[0099]FIG. 64 is a further isometric view showing the exemplaryinterlock mechanism with the deposit holding container in an operativeposition.

[0100]FIG. 65 is a further isometric view showing the interlockmechanism enabling movement of the deposit accepting mechanism when thedeposit holding container has been moved from the operative position.

[0101]FIG. 66 is a right side view similar to FIG. 65 showing thedeposit holding container being removed and the interlock enablingmovement of the deposit accepting device.

[0102]FIG. 67 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 62 but with theexemplary locking mechanism shown in a position enabling opening of thedoor of the deposit holding container.

[0103]FIG. 68 is a right side schematic view indicating exemplarysensors for providing enhanced security against tampering andunauthorized access to the deposit accepting mechanism.

[0104]FIG. 69 is an isometric exploded view showing engagement of theexemplary outer end of the deposit accepting mechanism with a floatingfascia portion movably mounted relative to the fascia of an automatedbanking machine.

[0105]FIG. 70 is an isometric front view showing the bezel at the outerend of the deposit accepting mechanism engaged with a movable fasciaportion of an automated banking machine.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

[0106] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, thereis shown therein a schematic view of a first embodiment of an automatedbanking machine generally indicated 10. The first exemplary embodimentof the automated banking machine is an automated teller machine that isusable to carry out banking transactions such as the dispensing of cashand the deposit of items. It should be understood however that theprinciples of the present invention may be applicable to other types ofautomated banking machines that perform other or additional functions.

[0107] Automated banking machine 10 includes a housing 12. Housing 12 inthe exemplary embodiment includes a chest portion 14 and a top housingportion 16. Each of the chest portion and top housing which may bealternatively referred to herein as a cabinet portion are accessible toauthorized persons through suitable access doors which are controlled bylocking mechanisms. As schematically shown, the chest portion has achest door which includes a safe style combination lock schematicallyrepresented 18, which operates to limit access to authorized personnel.The top housing portion includes a key lock (not separately shown) inoperative connection with a door that is movable relative to the housingand enables authorized persons to access the interior of the top housingportion. Of course in other embodiments other access control and lockingmechanisms may be used.

[0108] Automated banking machine 10 further includes input devices. Theinput devices in the exemplary machine include a keypad 20 through whichusers may provide manual inputs. A further input device in the exemplaryembodiment is a card reader 22. In some embodiments the card reader maybe adapted for reading magnetic stripe cards and/or smart cards whichinclude a programmable memory thereon. Of course in other embodimentscard readers which read contactless cards or other devices may be used.

[0109] The exemplary embodiment further includes an image capture deviceschematically represented 24. In some embodiments the image capturedevice may include for example, a camera which captures one or moreimages of the person operating the machine. In other embodiments theimage capture device may comprise a biometric reader such as an irisscanner, an input device for a facial recognition system or othersimilar device which serves as an input device for identifying a user.Of course the input devices discussed are exemplary and in otherembodiments other input devices such as fingerprint readers, retinascanners, voice recognition systems, touch screens, voice input systemsand other types of devices that receive inputs that are usable toidentify a user and/or their accounts, or which can be operated toprovide instructions to or from the machine, may be used.

[0110] The exemplary embodiment of the automated banking machine 10further includes output devices. Such output devices include a visualdisplay 26. The visual display 26 may be operated to provideinstructions to a user concerning operation of the machine as well as toprovide the user with information. The machine further includes aprinter device 28 which also serves as an output device. Printer device28 in some exemplary embodiments may include a device for printingreceipts which are provided to a user for purposes of documentingtransactions conducted at the machine. Of course in other embodimentsother types of printing devices may be used. These may include forexample devices that print tickets, scrip, money orders, checks,coupons, or other documents or instruments.

[0111] It should be understood that these output devices are exemplaryand in other embodiments other types of output devices may be used. Forexample other embodiments may include voice guidance systems,communication interfaces for communicating with wireless devices such asPDAs or cell phones, electrical connectors for communicating withheadphones or similar devices or other devices for providing outputs toa user.

[0112] In the exemplary banking machine 10 users are enabled to receivecash from the machine as well as to make deposits into the machine. Theexemplary machine includes a cash dispenser mechanism 30. The cashdispenser mechanism includes bill picker mechanisms 32 and 34 whichoperate to pick bills from one or more supplies of bills in the machine.For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,369 which is incorporated herein byreference, includes examples of bill picker mechanisms that may be usedin some embodiments. Of course in other embodiments other types of billpicker mechanisms may be used.

[0113] The cash dispenser 30 further includes a bill transport 36 whichmoves the bills to a stacking and presenting mechanism 38. For exampleU.S. Pat. No. 5,342,165 which is incorporated herein by reference,discloses a type of bill stacker and presenting mechanism that may beused in some embodiments. The cash dispenser is operative to deliverbills to a user through a cash dispensing outlet 40. As schematicallyindicated, an appropriate gate or other blocking mechanism 42 ispositioned adjacent to the cash outlet so as to prevent unauthorizedpersons from gaining access to the cash dispenser mechanism. Theexemplary gate 42 is movable responsive to motors, solenoids or othersuitable motion control mechanisms which may be alternatively referredto herein as drives, to enable cash to be properly delivered to amachine user from the stacker and presenter mechanism, and to blockaccess at other times.

[0114] The exemplary embodiment of the banking machine 10 furtherincludes a first deposit accepting system which includes mechanismssuitable for receiving and storing deposited items. In the exemplaryembodiment the deposited items are envelopes. However, in otherembodiments other types of deposit items such as checks, money orders,tickets, coupons, deposit bags, deposit holding carriers and other typesof deposited items may be received. Machine 10 includes a depositopening which may be alternatively referred to herein as an inlet, whichextends in the housing and is sized for accepting deposited items suchas envelopes. An appropriate gate mechanism schematically indicated 46is movably positioned adjacent the deposit inlet. Gate 46 is movablethrough solenoids, motors or other suitable moving devices so as toprevent access to the interior of the machine through the deposit inletexcept at times when the machine is in a proper mode to accept deposits.

[0115] In the exemplary embodiment deposited items are moved along adeposit path through a transport 48. The deposit transport 48 isoperative to move envelopes deposited by a user from the area adjacentthe deposit inlet to a storage area 50. In some exemplary embodimentsthe deposit transport may be of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,884,679, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0116] In the first exemplary embodiment the storage area 50 is boundedby a removable deposit holding container 52. The exemplary form of thedeposit holding container has an interior storage area that is operativeto hold deposited items therein 54. The deposit holding container 52 maybe removed from the machine by authorized personnel and transported to aremote location where deposits may be validated. This may be done forexample through a self locking and tamper indicating deposit holdingcontainer like that later discussed in detail that locks upon removalfrom the machine and which is properly opened only by authorized personsat a remote location. Alternatively the deposit holding container may besuch that persons who are authorized to access the chest portion 14 mayremove the deposited items individually therefrom and verify thecontents thereof either at the machine or at a remote location.Alternatively other approaches may be used for verifying deposited itemsdepending on the type and nature of the deposits.

[0117] The exemplary machine 10 further includes at least one computerwhich may be alternatively referred to herein as a controller,schematically indicated 56. The controller is in operative connectionwith at least one data store or memory 58 which holds programminginstructions, information about transactions, communication informationand other data used in operation of the machine. The controller 56 is inoperative connection with the transaction function devices in themachine and controls the operation thereof in accordance with theprogrammed instructions.

[0118] Controller 56 is in operative connection with at least onecommunications device 60. The communications device enables theexemplary machine to communicate with at least one remote computer anddata store for purposes of carrying out transactions. As representedschematically in FIG. 1, banking machine 10 is in operative connectionwith a network schematically indicated 62. The network is in operativeconnection with computers at financial institutions 64 and 66 whichoperate systems that authorize and record information concerningtransactions conducted by users at the banking machine. Of course thiscommunications approach through a banking network is exemplary and inother embodiments other communications approaches and/or authorizingentities may be used.

[0119]FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the deposit transport 48 used inexemplary banking machine 10. In this exemplary embodiment depositeditems in the form of envelopes 68 are moved along a transport path inthe direction of arrow D from the deposit inlet to the storage area. Asthe deposited items are being moved along the transport path, propertiesof the deposited item are sensed. In the embodiment shown, thickness ofthe deposited item is sensed by a sensor 70. In the embodiment shown,the sensor 70 is a contact sensor which physically contacts thedeposited item 68 so as to determine its thickness. For example as shownin FIG. 2, a contact roller 72 has an axis that is movable in responseto envelope thickness and biasingly engages the deposit envelope as itpasses along the transport path between the contact roller and areference surface of a stationary axis roller 74. The displacement ofthe contact roller 72 from its reference position indicates thethickness of the deposited item across its length. The displacement ofthe contact roller produces one or more signals from the sensor 70 whichare transmitted to the controller and used for purposes which are laterdiscussed.

[0120] It should be understood that while in the exemplary embodimentthe contact type sensor is used for determining thickness in otherembodiments, non-contact sensors may be used for determining thicknessor other properties of a deposited item. For example non-contact sensorsof the type shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,101,266, 6,242,733 and 6,241,244,the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein,may be used for purposes of determining thickness or other properties ofthe deposited items. Such non-contact sensors may be used in lieu of orin addition to, contact type sensors for determining thickness of thedeposited item.

[0121] In addition or in the alternative, other types of sensors such asmagnetic type sensors may be used for purposes of sensing and/ordetermining the content of the envelope. Magnetic sensors may be usedfor example, to determine the presence of magnetic inks on checks,coins, currency or other instruments which are included within depositenvelopes. Such non-contact sensors are schematically represented 76 inFIG. 2. It should be understood that in some embodiments thickness orother properties of the deposited item may be sensed in or along asingle sensing area in the envelope path. In other embodiments sensingmay be conducted across all or a portion of the transverse width of thedeposited item. The particular nature of the thickness and other deposititem properties that are sensed and used in a particular embodiment maydepend on the type of deposited item involved and the needs of theoperator of the banking machine.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 2, one or more recording devices schematicallyindicated 78 are positioned adjacent to the deposit path. In theexemplary embodiment the recording devices may comprise printers whichare operative to print indicia on deposited items. Such printers mayinclude for example dot-matrix printers, stamper type printers, inkjetprinters or other suitable devices for recording indicia on thedeposited item. In other exemplary embodiments systems which areoperative to label the deposited item, such as those shown in U.S. Pat.No. 4,435,243 which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used.

[0123] In the exemplary embodiment, the recording devices are operativeto record on the deposited item, indicia which corresponds to theproperties of the item which is sensed. This may include for examplerecording on the deposited item numerical indicia which indicatethickness of the envelope at one or more locations thereon. In otherembodiments the recording device may be operative to record anidentifying indicator such as an account number or transaction number onthe envelope. This identifying indicia may then be correlated tothickness or other properties of the deposited item by referring to datastored in memory at the machine or elsewhere in an operatively connectedcomputer. Alternatively or in addition, the indicia recorded on thedeposited item may include an indicated deposit value which correspondsto the amount that a user of the machine indicated was included in orwas represented by the deposited item.

[0124]FIG. 3 shows an example of deposited item 80 that has been passedthrough the depository of an exemplary automated banking machine. Forthis deposited item the recorded indicia on the item includes atransaction identification number 82. The transaction identificationnumber may correspond for example, to the particular transaction carriedout by the machine and may correspond to information stored in memorysuch as the identity of the particular user who conducted the deposittransaction. In this exemplary embodiment the deposited item 80 furtherhas included among the indicia, an indicated deposit value 84. Theindicated deposit value may include for example the particular valueamount that the user indicated that they were depositing into themachine through inputs to the input devices at the time they made thedeposit. The inclusion of the indicated deposit value with the recordedindicia may facilitate verifying the deposit when it is removed from themachine as later discussed.

[0125] For the deposited item 80, indicia corresponding to thickness isrecorded on the item. The thickness indicia 86 comprises a numericalindication of the thickness of the deposit envelope at various locationsalong the envelope at the time of deposit. These various locations inthe embodiment shown are spaced longitudinal locations along a singlelongitudinal line adjacent the center of the envelope as it passesthrough the transport. In this exemplary embodiment the thicknessindicia are printed adjacent to a transverse edge of the envelope so asto not interfere with other indicia printed thereon. Of course it shouldbe understood that in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

[0126] As later discussed, the thickness and other indicia associatedwith the envelope may be used when the envelope is subsequently openedto verify that the envelope contained deposit items therein at the timeof deposit and/or the nature of such deposited items.

[0127]FIG. 6 shows an alternative form of recorded indicia on adeposited item 88. In this exemplary embodiment the recorded indicia ofthe deposited item includes machine-readable indicia 90. In thisembodiment the machine-readable indicia comprises a bar code or similarmachine-readable coding scheme.

[0128] The machine-readable indicia corresponds to a particularnumerical or other indicator that is correlated with data related to thedeposit, such as the customer identity and indicated deposit value. Inthe exemplary embodiment the indicia also corresponds to data about theparticular deposit such as thickness data and/or other properties. Thisdata which is captured from the contact or non-contact type sensors inthe machine is correlated with the machine-readable indicia 90. Suchdata may be accessed from the data store in the banking machine.Alternatively such data may be transmitted to another data store forpurposes of verifying that the indicated deposit value corresponds tothe actual deposit value of the content of the envelope.

[0129] A reading device 92 is operative to read the machine-readableindicia once the deposited item 88 has been removed from the storagearea in the machine by an authorized representative of the machineoperator. The reading device 92 is in operative connection with acomputer or other device 94 which has therein or which has accessiblethereto, data in a data store 96. The data store 96 preferably includesdata such as the indicated deposit value, the identity of the user andthe properties of the particular deposited item as sensed by the sensorsin the banking machine proximate to the time of deposit. With thisinformation the person verifying the deposits may verify that thecontent of the envelope has at the time of verification, an actualdeposit value that corresponds to the indicated deposit value. In theevent of a discrepancy, the person verifying the deposit may use thethickness and other data which has been recorded related to thedeposited item, to determine if the deposited item actually containeditems having the expected properties of thickness and/or otherproperties at the time of deposit. This will enable a person responsiblefor verifying the deposit to better determine if the items were notincluded in the deposited item at the time of deposit or if the contentof the deposited item was lost or misappropriated after deposit. Suchinformation is useful in determining whether to credit the customer'saccount for the indicated deposit value as later discussed.

[0130]FIGS. 4 and 5 show exemplary types of data related to depositeditems which may be represented by indicia recorded on deposited items.For example FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of thickness of adeposited item over time or distance as the item engages and passes asingle contact type sensor as the deposited item moves along the depositpath in the banking machine. A line 98 corresponds to the one or moresignals from the sensor indicative of thickness. Various embodimentssuch as for example a deposit system used to produce item 80 in FIG. 3,record thickness at a plurality of discrete separated locations 100. Inthe exemplary embodiment the movement of the envelope may be controlledthrough operation of a controlled speed motor, stepper motor or othercontrolled movement device so that the indicia indicative of thicknessat each of the locations corresponds relatively closely to theparticular area on the deposited item at which the thickness is sensed.Appropriate circuitry is provided so that when indicia corresponding tothickness such as is shown in FIG. 3 is a fairly accurate representationof the thickness at the various locations at the time the envelope wasdeposited. As can be appreciated in embodiments where deposit items aremoved at a predictable and generally constant speed, thicknessdeterminations can be based on elapsed time from when a leading edge ofan envelope is sensed. In other embodiments encoders or other distancesensors can be used to directly sense envelope movement. The graph inFIG. 4 may be representative of outputs from either type system.

[0131] In some embodiments it may be sufficient for the indicia torepresent a maximum thickness of the deposited item such as is indicatedin FIG. 4 by a maximum 102 of line 98. The maximum is indicative of themaximum thickness of the envelope, and this may in many embodiments besufficient to indicate the nature of the content thereof. Thus forexample in systems where the maximum thickness is recorded, only indiciacorresponding to one numerical value may be recorded on the envelopeand/or stored in memory as corresponding to the indicia recorded on theenvelope.

[0132] In still other embodiments it may be important to correlate witha deposited item, a quantity indicative of the volume of the item. Thismay correspond to the area 104 under the line 98 in FIG. 4. As can beappreciated area 104 which is the integral of the overall thickness asmeasured by a thickness sensor, may be indicative of the overall contentof the envelope.

[0133]FIG. 5 shows yet other data that may be recorded related to theparticular deposited item. For example certain contact and non-contactsensors can develop a detailed profile of a deposited item including thethicknesses associated with folds, flaps and items contained within theenvelope. Non-contact sensors may also detect other properties such asmagnetic properties and the presence of inks or other indicators on orwithin the contents.

[0134] For example FIG. 5 shows a deposited item 106. Non-contactsensors of the type previously mentioned may use radiation to determinethickness and determine the bounds of the envelope as well as additionalthickness areas associated with envelope features such as flaps andfolds 108. In addition such non-contact sensors may sense additionalthicknesses in the areas 110 and 112 within the envelope. In areas 110and 112 additional thickness is caused by the presence of sheets such asinstruments within the envelope. Radiation sensors which are capable ofsensing radiation absorption properties may sense areas where printinghas been made on items within the envelope. In addition or in thealternative, magnetic sensors may identify areas of magnetic activityrepresented by areas 114. Such magnetic activity may correspond to areaswhere magnetic inks have been printed on checks or other instruments.

[0135] As can be appreciated, some embodiments may provide a detailedprofile of the deposited item and its content. This profile may becorrelated with the indicia recorded on the deposited item so that aperson responsible for verifying deposits may determine whether thecontent of the deposited item at the time that it is verified,corresponds to the content at the time it was deposited.

[0136] In operation of an exemplary embodiment, the automated bankingmachine 10 is operated by a user to perform banking transactions. Thisincludes for example the user providing to the card reader 22 of themachine a debit card which includes a magnetic stripe. The magneticstripe may include information that identifies the user and/or theiraccount such as a primary account number (PAN) of the user. The user mayfurther verify their identity by providing to the machine a personalidentification number (PIN) through the keypad 20. If the input PINcorresponds to the data recorded on the card, the user may be authorizedto conduct transactions at the machine. It should be understood that theuse of these inputs by the user to the machine to identify the user isexemplary and in other embodiments other inputs usable to identify theparticular user or an account may be used.

[0137] A user also provides one or more inputs through input devices onthe machine to indicate the type of transaction they wish to conduct. Ifthe user provides one or more inputs indicating that they wish to make adeposit transaction, the controller in the machine will operate inaccordance with its programming to present prompts to the user throughthe display 26 or other output devices requesting that the user indicatethe deposit values of the item or items that they wish to deposit. Afterproviding the indicated deposit value, the controller operates themachine to open the gate 46 to the deposit transport 48 so that a usermay insert the deposited item. When the user inserts the deposited item,it is moved through the transport 48 wherein properties of the depositeditem are sensed. This includes in exemplary embodiments, sensingthickness and/or other properties of the deposited item as previouslydiscussed. The controller 56 further operates the recording device 78such as one or more printers, to record on the deposited item indiciathat corresponds to the particular properties or characteristics sensed.Once the indicia has been recorded on the deposited item, the itempasses into the storage area 50 where it is held in the banking machinefor later verification.

[0138] Periodically the operator of the machine or other authorizedentity accesses the interior of the machine to remove and verify thedeposited items. This is done in an exemplary embodiment by opening thelock 18, moving the chest door and accessing the chest portion 14 so asto remove the deposit holding container 52. In some embodiments thedeposited items may be removed from the deposit holding container at themachine and opened for verification in an area adjacent to the machine.Alternatively the deposit holding container may be locked andtransported to a remote location for verification of the deposits.

[0139] In the exemplary embodiment the deposit holding container is tobe transported to a remote location and an empty deposit holdingcontainer is placed in the machine to receive further deposits. Thebanking machine is then returned to operation. The deposited items areremoved from the deposit holding container at a remote facility and thecontent thereof reviewed. The content which may include cash, checks orother deposited items is totaled for each deposited item to obtain anactual deposit value. The actual deposit value is then compared to theindicated deposit value to determine if there is a discrepancy. If theactual deposit value and the indicated deposit value are different, theuser of the machine may have made an error in providing the indicateddeposit value. Alternatively the user may be attempting to perpetrate afraud by misrepresenting the value of the deposit. Alternatively,deposited items may have been misappropriated by persons having accessto the deposited items either at the machine, in transport or at thelocation where the deposited value is verified.

[0140] The actual deposited value may be compared to the indicateddeposit value by reviewing the numerical indicia corresponding tothickness recorded on the deposited item such as is shown in FIG. 3.Alternatively transaction number data or other machine-readable indiciamay be correlated electronically with the indicated deposit value. Ofcourse in cases where the actual deposit value corresponds to theindicated deposit value, the user has deposited the indicated amount andthe account of the user or other appropriate entity is credited for theindicated deposit value.

[0141] In some circumstances however, the indicated deposit value doesnot correspond to the actual deposit value of the item. At the depositverification facility persons verifying deposits may inspect depositeditems for damage. This may include for example, torn deposit envelopesor envelopes that have not been sealed or which appear to have been cutor otherwise opened. An example of a damaged deposit envelope isindicated 116 in FIG. 7. Damaged or otherwise opened deposit envelopesmay have no contents or may still have items contained therein. Whenitems are still contained therein, there is a question of whether all ofthe items are still housed within the damaged deposit item.

[0142] When persons responsible for verifying deposits are faced withdamaged or otherwise open deposited items such as envelopes, questionsmay arise as to whether the items were damaged and/or empty at the timeof deposit or whether the content was lost or stolen after deposit inthe machine. By reviewing the indicia recorded on the deposited itemwhich corresponds to thickness and/or other properties, such disputescan often be resolved.

[0143] For example if the deposited item was empty at the time ofdeposit, then the recorded thickness information related to the item maybe used to verify that the thickness of the empty envelope at the timeof verification corresponds to the thickness at the time of deposit.This is indicated with regard to damaged envelope 116 in FIG. 7 whichshows that the thickness information at a plurality of locations isconstant and corresponds to the thickness of the empty damaged envelope.This suggests for example that a user may be attempting to perpetrate afraud by deliberately depositing an empty envelope which is damaged andwhich the user may later contend contained materials corresponding tothe indicated deposit value. In cases where the recorded thickness orother properties show that the indicated deposit value was not correct,the institution operating the machine will not credit the user's accountfor the indicated deposit value.

[0144] In other circumstances an open or damaged deposit item may havecorresponding thickness or other data which shows that the depositeditem contained items at the time of deposit which are not contained atthe time of verification. In such circumstances it will be known thatsuch items have disappeared subsequent to the time of deposit. Theinstitution operating the automated banking machine may credit theuser's account for the indicated deposit value, as it is thereforedocumented that at least some of the deposited items had apparently beenlost through error or misappropriation.

[0145] Of course in some embodiments where the data concerning depositeditems includes magnetic sensors and detailed profile information,relatively accurate data showing the type and number of deposited itemscan be obtained from data stored in memory. Such data may in someembodiments be accessed directly from the data store in the bankingmachine. Alternatively data in the machine may be transmitted throughthe network to other computers which can be accessed at the depositverification facility. Of course numerous approaches may be used withinthe scope of the invention depending on the capabilities and needs ofthe particular system.

[0146] At the verification facility, verification may often besuccessfully accomplished through manual opening and review of depositeditems. Alternatively the verification facility may employ devicessimilar to those in the machine for purposes of measuring the thicknessof the envelope and determining other properties of deposited items.This may include for example passing deposited items through suchdevices prior to opening them at the facility to determine if there hasbeen any change in the properties of the item between the time that itwas deposited and the time that it has reached the facility. This may bedone as part of a process for inspecting for damage to the particulardeposited item. In cases where machine readable indicia is used ondeposited items, a reader for the indicia and thickness sensing (orother property sensing) device at the facility can be used to compareand identify deposited items where properties of the item have changedfrom the time of deposit. In addition, if a deposited item has beendamaged in the transport or has come open, the properties associatedwith the deposited item at the time of acceptance in the machine may beuseful in determining which open or loose items found within a depositholding container correspond to which deposit item. Various approachesmay be used within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0147] In alternative embodiments for example, the banking machine maydetect possible situations where a user has attempted to deposit anenvelope or other item that is damaged or empty. In such situations thebanking machine may operate to refuse to accept such an item fordeposit. Such systems may prevent attempted fraud and/or avoidsituations where a user forgot to place the intended deposit items inthe envelope.

[0148] In some automated banking machines deposit envelopes are providedfor a user's convenient use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,609 the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference, shows an automated banking machinewhich provides envelopes to a user in which deposit items may beincluded. In some embodiments the envelopes provided may be of a knownsize and/or thickness. Sensors in the path for receipt of depositenvelopes may sense for size and/or thickness properties and thecomputer operating in the ATM may be programmed to have the machinereject and return to the customer deposit envelopes that do not meet theacceptable size or thickness parameters. This may be done for example bythe controller in the machine reversing the deposit transport.

[0149] For example, an exemplary automated banking machine may sense forenvelope thickness greater than the known empty thickness of the depositenvelopes provided by the machine. The banking machine may be programmedto instruct customers that they must place their deposit into a machineprovided envelope, even if the customer has planned to provide their owndeposit containing envelope. The machine may instruct the user to placetheir nonstandard envelope within the machine provided envelope. In suchan embodiment if the sensors sensing thickness of a deposited envelopedo not sense thickness greater than that of a standard machine providedenvelope, the banking machine may return the envelope to the customerand may output a request to the customer to put the deposit items in theenvelope and/or for the customer to use one of the envelopes the machineprovides. In this way the risk of the machine receiving an emptyenvelope is reduced.

[0150] In other embodiments the banking machine may have sensors whichsense the size, area and/or boundaries of the edges of a depositedenvelope. In this way if a deposited envelope does not correspond to theexpected configuration of a standard machine provided envelope, thedeposited envelope may be rejected by the deposit accepting mechanism.

[0151] In other embodiments deposit items may have common properties.For example, the expected deposit items may include coins, currencybills and checks, each of which have magnetic properties. The magneticproperties of the machine provided envelopes may be nonexistent orwithin a known range. The banking machine may sense for elevatedmagnetic properties for the deposited envelopes to indicate that eithercash or checks have been placed therein. Envelopes that do not have suchelevated magnetic properties may be rejected. Of course in somesituations the banking machine may sense for other or additionalproperties and use that as a basis for accepting or rejecting thedeposit.

[0152] It should be understood that in some embodiments the bankingmachine may operate to sense for combinations of properties and may notaccept the envelope if any one or more properties is not within theanticipated limits. In some embodiments envelope deposits that arerejected may be returned to the customer. In other embodiments suspectdeposits may be held by the machine for analysis and/or as evidence.

[0153] In further alternative embodiments the banking machine maydispense an empty envelope to the customer for use that does not havepredetermined thickness, size, magnetic or other properties. In someexemplary embodiments the properties of interest may be measured bysensors in the banking machine at the time the empty envelope is beingdispensed to the customer from the machine. The properties of interestcould again be measured for the envelope when the user deposits theenvelope with deposit items into the machine. If an expected change (orabsence of change) in thickness, size, magnetic properties or othersensed properties is not detected when the user deposits the envelopeback in the machine, the deposit may be rejected.

[0154] Alternatively or in addition, indicia corresponding to propertiesof interest may be printed on the envelope by the machine prior to or atthe time of dispense of the empty envelope. In addition or alternativelysuch information may be stored in a database. This information may thenbe compared to that for the deposited envelope. This may be done at thetime of accepting the deposit and used as a basis to reject the depositby the machine or may be done subsequently when the contents of thedeposit envelopes are being verified. Of course other approaches may betaken depending on system and operator requirements.

[0155]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an alternative deposit mechanism foraccepting deposits such as envelopes within an automated bankingmachine. This deposit mechanism generally indicated 120 includes anouter end 122 which includes a deposit opening through which deposititems are accepted. Access though the opening at outer end 22 iscontrolled by a gate mechanism as later discussed. Items which pass intothe deposit accepting mechanism 120 through the deposit opening at outerend 122 are moved through a transport 124. Items accepted in thetransport are moved past the recording device 126 which in the exemplaryembodiment comprises an inkjet printer. Deposited items are moved by thetransport 124 into a deposit holding container 128. As later discussedin detail, in some exemplary embodiments the deposit holding containermay be a removable container which is removably mounted within a chestor other secure area of the ATM. In the exemplary embodiment a dividingwall 130 may serve as a portion of an upper wall bounding the chestportion and separating it from the cabinet portion above. This is usefulin some embodiments in which the envelope holding container for emptyenvelopes or portions thereof which serve as the envelope supply, may beaccessed by persons who do not have access to the secure chest. Ofcourse this approach is exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used.

[0156] The exemplary form of the deposit mechanism 120 further includesan envelope storage area 132 which is alternatively referred to as anempty envelope holding container. Envelope storage area 132 includes inoperative connection therewith devices for selectively picking andseparating a single envelope from a stack of envelopes stored in theenvelope storage area. Such a picked envelope is then transportedthrough the transport 124 and delivered to a user of the banking machinethrough the deposit opening at the outer end 122. It should beunderstood that in some embodiments envelopes being provided to a userand/or envelopes received may be marked in the manner previouslydiscussed. Alternatively in other embodiments no marking or alternativeforms of marking may be done.

[0157] The envelope storage and delivery mechanism used in connectionwith an exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 9-18.The exemplary embodiment includes an envelope storage and dispensingdevice 134 which is alternatively referred to as an envelope dispenser,shown in FIG. 9-11. The envelope storage and dispensing device includesenvelope storage area 132 which is bounded by a movable floor member 136which serves as a floor support and an overlying push plate 138. Pushplate 138 is vertically movable in a pair of disposed slots 140 insupporting connection with the housing of the deposit acceptingmechanism. The push plate 138 is also rotatable about pivots 142. Thisfacilitates rotating the push plate from a biasing position biasing thestack of envelopes downward, to a biasing position in which the pushplate extends outside the storage area, so that envelopes or otherdeposit items may be readily added to or removed from the storage area132. Push plate 138 when returned to the biasing position in the storagearea applies a downward force to envelopes in the envelope storage area.

[0158] Floor member 136 is supported on a base 144. Floor member 136 isalso rotatable about a pivot 146 which serves as a movable support andwhich is positioned adjacent to a rear area of the floor member 136.Further, the floor member has positioned adjacent thereto verticallyextending guide plates 148 which serve to bound the empty envelopeholding container and maintain the stack of deposit envelopes insupporting connection with the floor member.

[0159] Exemplary floor member 136 includes thereon a disposed pair ofupward extending rails 150. The rails are useful in reducing surfacetension forces that resist envelope movement over the surface of thefloor member. Three slots 152 extend in the floor member at an enddisposed from the pivot 146. Each slot 152 is aligned with a respectivepick belt which serves as a movable picker member. The central slot isaligned with a belt 154 which extends in centered relation relative tothe floor member. The slots 152 on either side of belt 154 are eachaligned with a pick belt 156. Belts 154 and 156 are selectively drivenresponsive to the controller by a drive. The pick belts extend betweenrollers 158, 160 mounted on shafts 162, 164 in operative connection withthe floor member 136. Adjacent to an end of member 136 disposed awayfrom the pivot 146 is a pair of transversely disposed cams 166. (SeeFIG. 11.) As later discussed in detail, cams 166 serve as part of amechanism which is operative to cause the floor member to rotate aboutthe pivot 146 and to move up and down relative to the upper surface ofpick belts 154, 156.

[0160] Bounding the forward side of the envelope storage area 132 is avertically extending wall 168. Wall 168 has in supporting connectiontherewith a stripper member 170. Stripper member 170 is movably mountedin supporting connection with wall 168 and is movable responsive to anoperatively connected drive. In the exemplary embodiment the strippermember serves as a stripper to generally prevent all but one envelopefrom being moved from the stack in a spring loaded fashion by a spring171 which serves as a downward biasing device for purposes that arelater discussed. As shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15 the stripper assemblyincludes a pair of disposed angled friction pads 172. In the exemplaryembodiment the friction pads 172 are comprised of resilient material andare angled so as to provide a resilient strip surface that extendssomewhat further downward with increasing distance from the stack.Further, it should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment that theend of floor member 136 that is disposed the furthest from pivot 146extends forward so that slots therein extend beneath the resilient stripsurfaces friction pads 172. In the exemplary embodiment the frictionpads 172 are selectively movable in a spring loaded fashion with thestripper assembly 170.

[0161] In the exemplary embodiment shaft 162 has mounted thereon a pairof pinch rolls 174. Pinch rolls 174 are in abutting aligned relationwith transport drive rolls 176 (see FIG. 13) which rotate on a shaft 178which is driven by a drive (not shown). Transport drive rolls 176 aredriven in the direction of Arrow T as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 duringthe envelope dispensing operation. Transport drive rolls 176 each havesupported thereon a transport belt 180. The movement of transport driverolls 176 and transport belt 180 is operative to engage and cause therotation of pinch rolls 174. Because pinch rolls 174 are attached toshaft 162, rollers 158 and the pick belts supported thereon are alsodriven by the drive which powers the transport drive rolls. Of coursethis approach is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

[0162] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, transport drive belts 180 are inoperative connection with a tensioning roll 182. Tensioning roll 182 ismounted on a tension lever 184 which is in operative connection with aspring or other suitable biasing device to bias the tensioning rollcounterclockwise about a pivot 186 shown in FIG. 15. The engagement ofthe transport belt 180 with the tensioning roll causes the transportbelt to extend above a gap 188. Gap 188 extends between guides 190, 192.As later discussed, envelopes being deposited into the machine are movedby the transport belts to the gap 188. Once envelopes are moved throughthe gap they pass through a deposit envelope opening 189 through thedividing wall into the storage area within deposit holding container128.

[0163] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, base 144 includes a tray portion 194and a baffle 196 which is alternatively referred to as a plate. Baffle196 is movably mounted in supporting connection with the tray portion soas to be slidably movable thereon along the direction of Arrow U in FIG.17. In the exemplary embodiment baffle 194 is moved by a drive screw 198which is selectively driven responsive to the controller in eitherrotational direction by a drive 199 and pulley assembly 200.

[0164] Baffle 196 includes an opening there through 202. The trayportion 194 includes a corresponding opening 204. Tray opening 204corresponds to the position of the deposit envelope opening 189 in thedividing wall bounding the chest when the mechanism 120 is in anoperative position. Tray opening 204 is positioned in generallyunderlying relation of the gap 188. As can be appreciated through theselective operation of drive 199, the baffle opening 202 may beselectively moved so as to align the opening in the baffle with theopening in the tray. In such circumstances envelopes which pass into thegap 188 are enabled to move into the deposit holding container 128.Likewise when the baffle is moved by the drive so as to have the openingin the baffle disposed from the opening of the tray, access to thedeposit holding container is blocked. Thus the portion of the baffle orplate 196 which moves to block access through the gap to the depositenvelope opening serves as a gate.

[0165] Baffle 196 further includes therein a pair of cam slots 206. Asshown in FIG. 18, cam slots 206 are aligned with and sized to acceptcams 166 which extend in underlying relation of the floor member 136. Asa result movement of the baffle relative to the tray also enables thefloor member to be selectively moved up and down in the area adjacent tothe pick belts at an end disposed of the pivot 146. This interconnectioncauses the supporting floor supporting the envelope stack to move withthe portion of the baffle that serves as the gate.

[0166] Baffle 196 further has in operative connection therewith anactuating roller 208. Roller 208 in the exemplary embodiment is inoperative connection with a cam member which is engaged with a camportion on an arm 210. Arm 210 is movably mounted to the tray memberthrough a pivot mount 212. (See FIG. 18.) As later explained in detail,movement of the arm 210 through engagement of roller 208 and the camfacilitates maintaining the proper operating condition of the inkjetprinthead used in the exemplary embodiment.

[0167] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, transport belts 180 in the area oftensioning roller 182 extend adjacent to a transport which includes aplaten 214. Transport belts 180 are also operative to engage a pair oftoothed rolls 216 which extend through openings in the transport platen214. The toothed rolls rotate in coordination with the transport beltsso as to facilitate the movement of envelopes there through.

[0168] As represented in FIGS. 19-21, transport platen 214 in theexemplary embodiment has a surface that has a curved portion and whichextends to a delivery section 218 that extends adjacent to the outer end122 of the transport. Platen 214 includes an item supporting surfacewith a curved portion 215 through which a plurality of aligned openingswhich serve as apertures through which freely rotatable belt supportrollers 220 extend. The belt support rollers 220 are positioned suchthat the transport belts 180 move in overlying relation thereof.

[0169] In the exemplary embodiment elastic transport belts 180 arejournaled about outlet rolls 222 which rotate on a movable outlet shaft224 as later explained. Pressure applying rolls 226 are spring biased byleaf springs 227 and serve to maintain downward pressure on thetransport belts in the delivery section 216. The biasing action of rolls182 and 226 serve to bias the adjacent flights of belts 180 towardengagement of curved portion 215. Guide rolls 228 serve to guide thereturn flights of the transport belts 180 between the transport driverolls 176 and the outlet rolls 222.

[0170] In the exemplary embodiment of the deposit mechanism 120, whenthe automated banking machine operates to conduct a deposit transactionfor a user, the controller operates to dispense an envelope from theenvelope storage area 132 and to deliver the envelope to the user of themachine through an opening at the outer end 122 of the transport 124.The envelope dispenser in the ATM is operative to dispense an emptyenvelope. This is accomplished in an exemplary embodiment by thecontroller operating the drive 199 so as to cause the cam slots 206 inthe baffle 196 to move so that the cams 166 extending on the undersideof floor member 136 move downward into engagement with cam slots 206.This causes the pick belts which serve as a picker to extend above thesurface of the floor member and the rails, and engage the end envelopebounding the lower end of the envelope stack 207. The motor drivingshaft 178 operates to rotate in the direction of Arrow T so that thepick belts 154, 156 urge the bottom end envelope in the stack 207 tomove along a first direction toward wall 168. Further, the stripperassembly 170 is disposed downward such that the angled friction pads 172are disposed downward such that at the side toward the stack they areabout one envelope thickness above the plane of the lowered floor member136 as shown in FIG. 13.

[0171] The action of the pick belts 154, 156 urge the lowest envelope tothe right as shown in FIG. 13 into engagement with the downwardly angledresilient strip surface on the friction pads. Such engagement resistsmovement of the envelope by engaging the side of the envelope opposed ofthe pick belts and generally causes the lowermost end envelope boundingthe stack to be separated from the stack.

[0172] The force of the pick belts and particularly areas of raisedknobby tread 234 on pick belts 156 which serve as a cog portion, engagethe lower face of the end envelope and force the leading edge thereofinto the nip formed by drive belts 180 supported on rollers 176 andpinch rolls 174 which are rotated on shaft 162. Engagement of theleading edge of a lowermost envelope in the nip formed by the rollscauses the envelope to move with the belt flights across the gap 188 andinto engagement with the toothed rolls 216.

[0173] As best shown in FIG. 14, the exemplary configuration of thestripper member 170 and the angled stripper pads 172 achieve imparting awaffle configuration to the lowermost envelope 230. The deformedconfiguration of the envelope further helps to facilitate separation ofthe lowermost envelope in the stack from other envelopes.

[0174] A further feature of the exemplary dispenser mechanism for emptyenvelopes is that empty envelopes containing features for sealing of theenvelopes by an ATM user may be accommodated. For example, emptyenvelopes that include peel-off strips may be positioned in the emptyenvelope holding container with such peel-off strips facing downwardtoward the floor support. As generally such peel-off strips covering theadhesive are at the transverse margins of the envelopes, the envelopescan be moved by engagement with the pick belts without engaging thepeel-off strips. This enables the envelopes to be picked withoutdamaging the peel-off strips and without encountering significantdifferences in frictional properties which may result in skewing of theenvelopes and jams. Such envelopes with peel-off strips may bedesirable, as it eliminates the need for users to lick or otherwiseapply moisture to deposit envelopes to seal them after materials havebeen placed therein. Alternatively, other types of sealing approachesmay be used with regard to empty deposit envelopes. These may include,for example, fold-out flaps or other approaches to exposing adhesivematerial that is used to seal the envelope once materials have beenplaced therein by a user. The exemplary dispensing mechanism, with thebelt flights and cog portion which serve as a picker and angledoverlying resilient surfaces which serve as a stripper, are well adaptedfor individually separating such envelopes. Of course the constructiondescribed is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

[0175] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, as the picked envelope 230 moveswith the transport belts 180 over the gap 188, the leading edge of theenvelope engages rotating toothed rolls 216. The toothed rolls directthe leading edge of the envelope to be engaged between the surface ofthe transport platen 214 and the opposed platen surface facing flightsof the transport belts 180 adjacent thereto. An envelope sensor 232comprises movable members that extend through a plurality of slots inthe platen and is positioned to sense the leading edge of the envelopein connection with the transport belts adjacent to the platen. Inresponse to such sensing of the envelope, the controller in theexemplary embodiment is operative to cause the baffle 196 to translaterelative to the tray portion and to cause the cams 166 to move out ofthe cam slots 206. This raises the floor member 136 upward in the areaof the friction pads 172. In the exemplary embodiment because thestripper 170 is mounted in biased relation relative to the wall 168, adownward clamping force is applied to the picked envelope as itcontinues to move out of the stack as a result of the driving forceimparted thereto by the transport belts and pinch rolls 174. In theexemplary embodiment this clamping force on the moving envelope isfurther operative to assist in separating the end envelope at the bottomof the stack from other envelopes when they tend to be pulled along withthe picked envelope. Further, the raising of the floor member 136 isoperative to cause the rails on the surface of the floor member to againbe disposed above the moving pick belts. This disengages the pick beltsfrom further envelopes in the stack and reduces the risk that additionalenvelopes will be picked.

[0176] Once the picked envelope 230 has moved from the stack such thatit has cleared the pinch point formed by the transport belts and pinchrolls 174, the envelope is moved in engagement with the transport beltsbetween the surface of the transport platen 214 and belt support rollstoward the outlet rolls 222. As this occurs the gate adjacent to theopening in outer end 122 is opened in a manner later explained, and theenvelope is driven until the envelope is sensed by sensors as extendingthrough the opening and available to the customer, at which time thecontroller ceases further movement of the transport belts.

[0177] The exemplary embodiment of the envelope dispensing mechanism isuseful in that envelopes are reliably stripped both by the strippingaction of the angled friction pads as well as the wavelike wafflecontour that is imparted to the envelope by the picker and strippermembers. Further, reliable stripping of the lowest end envelope fromother envelopes in the stack is generally assured by the clamping actionwhich occurs as a result of raising the floor member 136 after theenvelope has moved away from the stack a sufficient distance.

[0178] A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that thestripper member is spring biased but movable in response to excessivethickness. Thus if for some reason a substantial quantity of envelopescannot be separated from one another, the entire stack may be movedoutward past the stripper member and through the transport to the user.This avoids malfunctions and placing the machine out of service whensuch conditions occur. In the exemplary embodiment the stripper isoperative to allow approximately 3.5 millimeters of envelope thicknessto pass through without jamming. This represents a substantial number ofenvelopes and may reduce the risk of a machine malfunction.

[0179] A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment previouslydiscussed, is that the mechanism is operative to handle envelopes thathave wax peel-off strips on the sides or edges of the envelope. Suchpeel-off strips may be loaded into the envelope storage area with suchstrips facing in a downward direction. As the exemplary embodiment doesnot include any resilient engaging surfaces which apply opposing forcesand which may contribute to such peel-offs coming off the envelopeduring separation of the end envelope from the stack, each envelope maybe moved with the peel-off strip intact on the underside of the envelopeto a user.

[0180] A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that thepick belts include raised segments 234 which serve as a high force cogportion. As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the raised segments on pickbelts 156 are comprised of enlarged knobby tread portions which extendhigher than the surrounding tread. In the exemplary embodiment theraised segments 234 are arranged on pick belts 156, 180 degrees apart.These cog portions provide additional friction and pushing force so asto move the lowermost envelope from the stack.

[0181] A further useful aspect employed in the exemplary embodiment tofacilitate the picking of envelopes is the use of the stepper motor fordriving the rolls and belts. In the exemplary embodiment the steppermotor is in operative connection with control circuitry which inresponse to the controller causes the stepper motor to operate in anoscillating fashion. In some embodiments the motor may operate in avibratory manner with vibration frequency but which always has a desirednet forward drive on the envelope. This results in vibration withdesired forward or backward movement which further helps to separateenvelopes from the envelope stack. For example in an exemplaryembodiment the controller may be programmed to determine whether theleading edge of an envelope is sensed as having reached the sensor 232at a particular time after the effort to pick an envelope is initiated.In response to the controller failing to sense the envelope within thedesired time, the controller operates to cause the vibratory action ofthe motor to be commenced. This vibratory action and the resultingshaking and oscillating motions of the parts in engagement with theenvelope is generally operative to cause the lowermost envelope to bepicked. Of course it should be appreciated that further recoveryroutines such as driving the belts and rolls in a back and forth motionas well as moving the baffle back and forth to raise and lower the floormember of the envelope holding bin may also be conducted so as tofacilitate end envelope separation.

[0182] In an exemplary embodiment the stepper motor or other drive isalso used to provide an audible indication responsive to the controller.This is achieved, for example, by the controller operating to drive thestepper motor in a vibratory fashion so as to produce an audible outputfrom the motor and components connected thereto. This may avoid the needin some ATMs for having a separate audible output device. Thus, forexample, the controller may be programmed to indicate to a user of theATM that an empty deposit envelope has been picked and moved through thetransport through the deposit opening, and is ready for the user totake. Upon sensing the empty envelope in this position, the controllermay cause the stepper motor to be driven to vibrate and provide anaudible “beep” or periodic audible signal so as to indicate to the userthat they need to take action. Audible signals may also be provided inother circumstances such as to indicate an malfunction. In someembodiments different audible signals may be produced through vibratoryaction. Of course these approaches are exemplary.

[0183] A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that thefloor member 136 generally operates to maintain the lowermost envelopeout of engagement with the picking belts during the times that anenvelope is not being picked. This helps to maintain a desirable contourfor the lowermost envelope so as to facilitate the picking thereof whenthe floor member is lowered. It should be understood that the featuresdescribed in connection with picking envelopes may also be applied topicking other types of media such as sheets.

[0184] A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that theportion of the baffle member which serves as a gate is configured so asto maintain security by keeping access to a deposit holding containerthrough the gap 188 blocked at appropriate times while an envelope isbeing delivered to the user. This further provides additional securityso as to minimize the risk that deposited items can be fished out of thecontainer by criminals. Of course many other additional advantages areobtained through the principles employed in the exemplary embodiment.

[0185] In the exemplary embodiment the delivery section 218 adjacent tothe outer area 122 is adapted to both deliver empty envelopes to a userfrom the machine as well as to accept envelopes for deposit into themachine. Such accepted envelopes may have uniform or non-uniformcontours. As shown in FIG. 22, outlet rolls 222 are supported on outletshaft 224. In the exemplary embodiment the elastic transport belts 180extend around the outlet rolls 222. Belt support rolls 220 extendthrough openings in a base surface of the platen in the delivery sectionand are in abutting relation with the outlet rolls 222 when an envelopeis not extending in between.

[0186] In the exemplary embodiment the delivery section 218 includesside walls 236 which transversely bound the transport. Side walls 236include therein generally upward extending angled slots 238. The angledslots 238 are sized so as to accept the opposed ends of an outlet shaft234 therein in movable relation. Circular guides 240 positioned on theoutlet shaft 224 facilitate movement of the outer shaft 224 relative tothe slot. Further, in the exemplary embodiment angled slots 238 areangled such that the tension applied by the elastic transport belts 180is operative to bias the outlet rolls 222 and the outlet shaft 224toward the lower end of the slot. This facilitates maintaining thetransport belts and rolls in engagement with the envelope.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 23, in the exemplary embodiment the outer end122 of the transport is provided with a cover housing referred to hereinas a bezel 242 which includes an opening 244 therein through whichenvelopes pass to and from a user. The bezel 242 is operativelyconnected to the delivery section 218. Further movably mounted inunderlying relation of the bezel of the exemplary embodiment is amovable gate member 246 which is later discussed in detail. In FIG. 23the gate member 246 is shown in an open position. As shown in FIG. 23, asensor 248 is provided within the transport inboard of the outlet rolls222. In the exemplary embodiment sensor 248 comprises a plurality ofmovable members or fingers that are movable and extend throughtransversely disposed slots in locations across the transport. Themembers move in the slots in response to the presence or absence ofenvelopes in that position. FIG. 25 shows the plurality of sensormembers associated with sensor 248 disposed in areas across thetransport. Further, the nature of the sensor members further assists inhelping to move the envelopes by reducing surface tension between theenvelopes and the base of the transport. In the exemplary embodiment,the sensor members are in operative connection with an electricalswitch, photo interrupter, or other sensor which provides a suitablesignal to the controller. A central rib 250 is also provided adjacentthe outlet to reduce surface tension and facilitate envelope movement.

[0188]FIG. 24 is representative of the useful properties of theexemplary mounting provided for outlet shaft 224 and outlet rolls 222.The ability of the shaft to move in the angled slots 238 responsive toenvelopes of varying thickness facilitates the ability thereof toconform the height of the envelopes so that the transport belts 180 mayengage the envelopes sufficiently so as to move the envelopes therein.Further, the elastic nature of the transport belts in combination withthe angled slots 238 serves to bias the outlet rolls 222 along with thetransport belts into engagement with the envelopes. FIG. 26 shows anexemplary envelope containing coin 252. In envelope 252 the coin isshown disposed to one side of the envelope. The clearance providedwithin the transport enables this coin containing envelope to be movedby the transport belts into the transport. An alternative envelope isshown within the transport in FIG. 27. This envelope 254 contains foldednotes which enter the transport and underlie the outlet rolls 222. Asrepresented in FIG. 27, the outlet rolls and the transport beltssupported thereon are enabled to move so as to allow the envelope topass while remaining in engagement with the envelope. This generallyenables the envelope to be transported without tearing or breaking open.

[0189] Further, as can be appreciated in FIGS. 19 and 20, thedisplaceable character of the pressure applying rolls 226 which in theexemplary embodiment are mounted to be displaceable on curved leafsprings 227 help to maintain the engagement of the transport belts withthe envelopes after the envelope is moved past the outlet rolls 222.Further, the flexible biased mounting of the pressure rolls 226 enablesenvelopes of varying contours and thickness to pass. In addition, thecurved portion 215 of the platen 214 and the forces applied by theoverlying transport belts maintain a transported envelope in capturedrelation between the surface of the platen, belt support rolls and thebelts so as to facilitate movement thereof. As represented by the forcevector arrows in FIGS. 19 and 20, the force of the belts serves tomaintain such engagement. In the exemplary embodiment this enablesenvelopes of uneven contour to be moved intact to the area of the gap188 from which the envelopes may pass into the deposit holding container128. Of course it should be understood that these approaches areexemplary. However, the principles described may be applied in manyembodiments to achieve the transport of envelopes or other media orstacks thereof having regular or irregular contours.

[0190] In an exemplary embodiment the rolls used for the outlet rolls222 of the transport and the outlet shaft 224 may have the structuresshown in FIGS. 28 through 30. As shown in these Figures the rolls 222are shown without the crowned outer cover that engages the transportbelts when the rolls are in operation. In some exemplary embodiments theoutlet rolls 222 are free wheeling relative to the shaft. Further, insome exemplary embodiments it is desirable that the rolls rotate ineither direction with low resistance to friction, be readily assembledon the shaft and be reliable in terms of maintaining engagement with andtheir position relative to the shaft. In the exemplary embodiment thisis achieved by the rolls being formed with a body having an integralbushing portion 256. Bushing portion 256 terminates at an inboard end atan annular flat surface 258. The annular flat surface 258 is adapted toengage in slidable relation with a radially extending annular stepsurface 260 on the shaft. The engagement of the annular flat surfacewith the radially extending step surface is operative to limit the axialmovement of the roller relative to the shaft.

[0191] The exemplary bushing portion 256 includes thereon at an opposedannular end from the annular flat surface, a plurality of radiallyinward extending deformable fingers 262. In the exemplary embodiment theinward extending fingers have outward edges that extend radially inwardrelative to the bore 264 which is sized to accept the shaft and whichextends through the bushing portion. In the exemplary embodiment theinward extending fingers 262 as well as the bushing portion arecomprised of generally rigid but resilient material such that the inwardextending fingers may deform but quickly reassume their original inwardextending contour.

[0192] The shaft 224 of the exemplary embodiment includes thereinannular recesses 266. The annular recesses 266 are axially disposed fromthe step surfaces a distance generally corresponding to the axialdistance between the annular flat surface 258 and the inward extendingfingers 262 of the rolls. Further, the size and distance between thestep surface and annular recesses is such that in some exemplaryembodiments the rolls 222 are enabled to readily rotate relative to theshaft when the roller is mounted thereon such that the inward extendingfingers are extended into and movable in the adjacent annular recess.

[0193] A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that therollers 222 may be mounted on the shaft 224 without the use of tools orfasteners. As represented in FIGS. 28 and 30, the rolls are movedrelatively axially onto the shaft so that the shaft is extended into thebore 264 of the bushing portion. The inward extending fingers 262 aredeformed from their original position temporarily as the roll is movedaxially inward relative to the shaft. However, once the inward extendingfingers reach the annular recesses 266, the fingers resume their normalshape. This engagement of the fingers within the annular recesses servesto hold the rollers in position relative to the shaft. Further, when theroller is moved axially such that the finger portions engage in theannular recess, the annular flat surface comes into abutting relationwith the annular step surface on the shaft. Such engagement preventsfurther axial movement of the roller which may cause the fingers to moveout of the annular recess. Once additional axial force moving the rolleris stopped, the engagement of the fingers in the annular recess causesthe annular flat surface in the exemplary embodiment to be adjacent tobut disposed slightly away from the annular step surface, so as toenable the generally free rotation of the roller relative to the shaft.In this position the annular flat surface 258 of the roller is disposedsufficiently adjacent to the corresponding step surface 260 such thatthe roller is enabled to freely rotate relative to the shaft but isgenerally prevented from moving further axially inward by engagementwith the step surface. Further, in this exemplary embodiment the taperedcontour of the inwardly extending fingers 262 causes forces tending tomove the rollers axially outward on the shaft to be resisted byengagement of the outer ends of the fingers with the radially outwardextending surfaces on the axially outward side of the annual recesses266. As can be appreciated, this approach and method provides a readylow-friction mounting for the rollers relative to the shaft and reliablelow-friction positioning and rotation of the rollers relative to theshaft.

[0194] In the exemplary embodiment the principles described inconjunction with the mounting of outlet rolls 222 may also be applied toother rolls. FIG. 31 shows an exemplary form of the guide rolls 228 usedin the transport for guiding the return flight of the transport belts.Guide rolls 228 are shown mounted on a guide shaft 268. The guide rolls228 include structures similar to that described in connection withrolls 222 to enable the ready mounting and rotation of the rollsrelative to the shaft. Of course it should be understood that theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used. Specifically and without limitation, in some embodimentsspecific features may be included for purposes of providing rolls thatare in fixed engagement so that the rolls rotate with the drive shaft.This may be accomplished for example by including interengagingprojections and recesses on the rolls and shaft structures. Suchstructures may include axially extending or radially extendingprojections or a combination of both, depending on the nature of theapplication and the nature of the forces being transmitted. Those havingskill in the art may devise various approaches for achieving the desireddegree of force transmission between the rolls and shafts.

[0195] In some exemplary embodiments of the deposit accepting mechanism120, difficulties may be presented by envelopes that enter or exit thetransport in a manner that is skewed relative to the direction ofmovement of the transport belts 180. For example in FIG. 41, an envelope270 is shown with an edge extending that is folded on the right side ofthe transport as shown due to envelope skewing. This may occur forexample by the envelope 270 having become skewed in the transport whilebeing dispensed and having moved outward through the transport in askewed position. Alternatively, such skewing may have occurred due to auser inserting the envelope in a skewed manner. FIG. 40 is a top viewshowing the envelope with the folded edge within the transport andhaving an edge thereof adjacent to the outlet shaft 224. FIG. 39 isrepresentative of the envelope 270 being entered into the transport fordeposit in a skewed manner.

[0196] As can best be appreciated from FIG. 41, in the exemplaryembodiment the skewed nature of an envelope can present problems inoperation. Such problems may occur both in envelope dispensing and inreceiving envelopes. For example, if an envelope is being dispensed to auser and it is skewed in the manner shown in FIG. 41, the folded end ofthe envelope may be obstructed in passing outward by the outlet shaft224. When this occurs, ajam will be sensed adjacent the outlet and/orthe envelope may be torn or damaged when presented to the user.Likewise, skewed envelopes may also be a problem with regard to depositaccepting operations. For example, an envelope may be accepted into thetransport and then due to the envelope having certain sensed parametersthat suggests that it should be returned to the customer, the controlleroperates to reverse the transport belts 180 so as to pass the envelopeback to the user. If in these circumstances the envelope is skewed andthe trailing edge is already moved into the transport past the outletshaft 224, the folded edge of the envelope may catch on the shaft. Thismay result in an inability to return the envelope and/or envelopetearing or damage.

[0197] In some alternative embodiments the problems associated withskewed envelopes can be reduced through use of envelope guides. Suchenvelope guides may operate to urge skewed envelopes to assume aparticular contour or configuration which more readily enables them topass into and/or out of the transport without engaging other structureswhich may cause damage, jams or tearing. An exemplary embodiment of suchguides is shown in FIGS. 34-37. Envelope guides 272 and 274 are mountedon opposed sides of the transport belts in supporting connection withthe side walls of the transport. Of course as can be appreciated in FIG.34, the left side transport belt is not shown for purposes of clarity.While in the exemplary embodiment the envelope guides are mounted infixed relation relative to side walls 236, in other embodiments suchguides may be movably mounted and/or spring loaded.

[0198] As the envelope guides 272 and 274 are mirror images of eachother, only guide 272 will be described in detail. The guide 272includes a contoured generally vertically extending surface 276. In theexemplary embodiment the vertical guide 276 extends in a generallyinward depending shape so as to be extending further inward relative tothe transport with increasing proximity to the outlet shaft 224. Theexemplary form of the envelope guide 272 further includes a generallydownward facing surface 278. Downward facing surface 278 is tapered soas to be closer to the platen surface of the transport with increasingproximity to the outlet shaft. This urges items to move below the outletshaft. Of course as can be appreciated, the exemplary form of theenvelope guide 272 has a vertically extending termination surface 280that is sufficiently disposed from the outlet shaft 224 so as not tointerfere with the movement thereof. This is shown in FIG. 35.

[0199] As best represented in FIGS. 34 and 36, an envelope 282 which isskewed relative to the transport is enabled to be more readily movedinward and outward past the outlet rolls 222. This results because ifthe envelope is being dispensed and is skewed in the manner shown inFIG. 34, the leading folded edge of the envelope engages the downwardfacing surfaces of the envelope guides and is caused to be deformed in amanner so that the folded edge of the envelope may move beneath theoutlet shaft 224. This is further shown by the relationship between thedownward facing surface 278 of the guide which extends generally atabout the level of the bottom of the undeformed position of the outletshaft 224. Thus as the envelope is moved outward, the folded edge passesbeneath the outlet shaft and does not become caught thereon. Further, ascan be appreciated the inward extending vertical guide surfacesfacilitate envelopes which may be skewed sufficiently severely to bemoved so that the folded over edges thereof engage the rollers andthrough the action thereof are moved to deform and pass under the outletshaft.

[0200] Similar principles may be applied in circumstances where anenvelope is inserted into the transport in a skewed manner such as isrepresented in FIG. 37. In such circumstances the skewed envelope willgenerally be deformed and folded so as to move past the outlet rolls222. However, if it is necessary to reject the deposited envelope, theguides will operate so as to deform the edges so that the envelope canpass outward underneath the outlet shaft. Such approaches facilitatereliable movement of envelopes into and out of the transport despitesuch envelopes being skewed and may avoid envelope jams and provideincreased reliability. Of course that these approaches are exemplary andin other embodiments other approaches may be used.

[0201] In some embodiments challenges may be faced by users attemptingto insert relatively large and/or uneven contoured envelopes into theautomated banking machine for deposit. In some cases such envelopes maynot be readily accepted because the movably mounted outlet rolls 222 andthe transport belts 180 supported thereon may not readily displaceupwardly to a sufficient degree in response to engaging the envelope toenable an envelope of high thickness to enter in between. This may beparticularly a challenge in situations where there are relatively thickor unevenly contoured envelopes which are comprised of low frictionmaterial. In such circumstances the transport belts may not havesufficient frictional engagement with the envelope so as to enable theenvelope to move into the nip between the outlet rolls 222 and theassociated transport belts and rollers 220. Such deficiencies may resultin users trying to force envelopes into the transport. This increasesthe risks of envelope breakage and/or jamming.

[0202] To enable envelopes having higher thicknesses and/or lowerfrictional properties to more readily enter the outer end of theenvelope transport, some alternative embodiments of the invention mayincorporate structures like that shown in FIGS. 32 and 33. In thisexemplary alternative embodiment, the outlet rolls 222 are mountedrelative to the outlet shaft 224 such that rotation of the outlet rollsresponsive to the transport belts 180 cause shaft 224 to rotate. Thismay be done for example in the manner previously discussed by providingengaging connection between the outlet rolls 222 and the shaft. Ofcourse alternative means for fixing the outlet rolls to the shaft suchthat they rotate together, may be employed.

[0203] In this exemplary alternative embodiment knobby rolls 284 aremounted to and rotate with the outlet shaft 224. For purposes of thisdisclosure, knobby rolls are rolls with outer surfaces which includeprojections that provide enhanced gripping action. In the exemplaryembodiment knobby rolls 284 are mounted such that there is one positionon the shaft in intermediate relation of the outlet rolls 222 as well asone on each outboard side between the outlet rolls 222 and the side wall236. In the exemplary embodiment the knobby rolls are comprised ofgenerally firm but resilient material in the area of engagement with theenvelope. Such area of engagement is also comprised of material havingsufficient gripping frictional properties so as to facilitate engagingand moving the envelopes. In the exemplary embodiment the knobby rolls284 are comprised of generally a cross shape with generally curved outersurfaces 286. As best shown in FIG. 33, the exemplary form of the knobbyrolls provide for the curved surfaces 286 to extend somewhat furtherradially outward than the surface of the transport belts 180 on theoutlet rolls 222. However, the outer surfaces 286 are positioned so thatwhen the outlet shaft 224 is at the bottom of the angled slot 238, theouter surfaces 286 are enabled to pass the base surface of the transportwithout engagement.

[0204] In operation of this alternative embodiment, the knobby rolls 284rotate with the outlet rolls 222 and the transport belts 180. Uponengagement with an envelope the outer surfaces 286 of the knobby rollsprovide additional traction on the envelope, urging it to move into thetransport to facilitate movement of the outlet shaft 224 upward. Inaddition in the exemplary embodiment arcuate recesses 288 which extendbetween the outer surfaces 286 provide a further engaging force at theareas leading to the outer surfaces which further serve to help theshaft to move upward and to pull envelopes past the outlet shaft 224.This action enables the alternative transport to handle larger sizedenvelope thicknesses or uneven contours without damage to the envelopes.Further, as can be appreciated, the nature of the knobby rolls 284 issuch that the rolls provide similar traction in moving envelopes in anoutward direction through the transport. This may facilitate therejection of envelopes within the transport that must be returned to thecustomer. The knobby rolls may also serve to facilitate the movement outof a transport of a stack of empty envelopes which due to malfunction inloading have become engaged together and which may only be moved fromthe transport as part of a stack. This may occur for example withcertain types of envelopes which have tabs which may have beeninadvertently interlocked or which through contamination or errors inthe manufacturing process have become stuck together. Of course itshould be understood that the structures described in connection withknobby rolls are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

[0205] A further useful aspect of the exemplary form of the envelopeaccepting mechanism 120 is that the mechanism may be more readilyadapted for use in various types of automated banking machines. This isenabled by providing that the delivery section 218 may extendhorizontally beyond curved portion 215 by varying distances. This may beuseful for utilizing the mechanism within various types of machineswhere the position of the components within the machine relative to theopening at the outer end may vary. FIGS. 42-44 show an exemplarystructure used in an embodiment of the invention so as to facilitate thedelivery section 218 being of different lengths.

[0206] In the exemplary delivery section 218 shown, the delivery sectionis comprised of two interengaging sections 290 and 292. Delivery section292 in this exemplary embodiment is positioned adjacent to the outer end122 and includes the structures associated with the outlet rolls andshaft. Section 292 includes the side walls 236 having angled slots 238.Further as can be seen in FIGS. 42 and 43, Section 292 includes a baseplaten surface 294 having apertures 296 the rein in which the beltsupport rollers 220 which underlie the outlet rolls 222 are mounted. Inthe exemplary embodiment the base surface 294 includes at opposedtransverse ends, formed shaft supporting pockets 298. Shaft supportingpockets 298 are adapted for the receipt of shafts portions 299 therein(see FIG. 23), which shafts support the rollers which extend in theapertures when the unit is assembled. Further section 292 includes slots300 through which the contacting movable fingers associated withenvelope sensor 248 extend. Section 292 further includes an angledlead-in surface 302. Lead-in surface 302 in the exemplary embodiment isserrated for purposes of cooperating with the gate member 246 in amanner later discussed.

[0207] Section 290 also includes side walls 304 and a base platensurface 306. Base platen surface 306 includes apertures 308 foraccepting belt support rollers as well as shaft supporting pockets 310similar to shaft supporting pockets 298. In the exemplary form ofsection 290 the base surface 306 also includes slots 312 for purposes ofallowing fingers associated with a mid-transport envelope sensor tomovably extend there through. Further, sections 290 and 292 furtherinclude fastening openings 214 which are used for mounting furtherstructures thereon such as rib 250. Of course it should be understoodthat these structures are exemplary and other embodiments or otherstructures may be used.

[0208] As best shown in FIG. 43, section 290 includes at a forward endthereof, a downward depending wall 316 with locator tabs 318 extendingthereon. Recesses extend between the locator tabs 318. Section 292includes a downward extending U-shaped wall 320. U-shaped wall 320includes cutouts 322 therein. U-shaped wall 320 is configured such thatthe distance between the legs which comprise the U-shaped wall arespaced sufficiently apart to accept wall 316 of section 290 therein.Further, the cutouts 322 are sized and positioned such that tabs 318 areenabled to be engaged therewith in aligned relation. This is representedin FIG. 44. As can be appreciated when the tabs and cutouts are engaged,the walls 236 and 304 of sections 290 and 292 are generally aligned asare the adjacent portions of base platen surfaces 294 and 306. Furtheras shown in FIG. 44 in the exemplary embodiment, the areas where thesections come together are rounded so as to facilitate the movement ofenvelopes or other media through the area of the joint while minimizingthe risk of snagging.

[0209] Further in the exemplary embodiment section 292 includes an earportion 324. Ear portion 324 includes an aperture 326 therein. Aperture326 is positioned in aligned relation with an opening 328 in side wall304 when the sections 290 and 292 are assembled. The fastener device(not separately shown) is extended to engage the aperture 326 and theopening 328 so as to hold the sections in engaged relation.

[0210] As further shown in FIG. 43, section 290 includes a furtherfolded wall portion 330 having cutouts 332 therein. Further section 290includes ear portions 334 with apertures 336 therein. As can beappreciated, these structures are similar to those used to join sections290 and 292 and may be used to engage section 290 with a furthertransport section such as a further horizontally extending section or anupper end of the curved platen 214.

[0211] As can be appreciated, in this exemplary embodiment the deliverysection 218 which extends horizontally outward between the fascia of theautomated banking machine and the curved portion of the transport, maybe made of various lengths depending on the length and number ofsections used. Therefore the envelope depository mechanism of theexemplary embodiment may be utilized in more types of machines. Furtherthe structures employed are readily assembled and minimize the risk ofenvelopes snagging as they pass between the sections of the transport.Of course it should be understood that these structures are exemplaryand in other embodiments, other structures and approaches may be used.

[0212] In an exemplary embodiment of the deposit mechanism 120, a gatedevice is employed to minimize the risk that persons will access thetransport and the interior of the banking machine in attempts to gainaccess to valuable items therein. In the exemplary embodiment the gateis positioned adjacent to the outer end 122 and operates to controlaccess through the opening 244. In the exemplary embodiment the gateoperates so as to only provide access through the opening when thecontroller operates the machine to dispense an envelope to a user, orwhen the machine is operating to conduct a transaction in which adeposit envelope is to be received within the machine. Of course itshould be understood that the structures and methods described areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

[0213] As best shown in FIGS. 45-50, a gate member 246 is rotatableabout a pivot 338. The pivot 338 is supported by side walls 236 oftransport section 292. Further, the gate member 246 and pivot arepositioned behind bezel 242. In the exemplary embodiment bezel 242includes both a front wall 340 and side walls 342. In the exemplaryembodiment the side walls extend rearward from the front wall andoverlie the gate as well as the outer end of section 292 so as to reducethe risk of tampering. Further, in the exemplary embodiment bezel 242includes a top wall 344 and a bottom wall 346. The top and bottom wallsfurther overlie the gate and the end of section 292 to reduce the riskof tampering. Of course it should be understood that these structuresare exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

[0214] Exemplary bezel 242 includes walls 348, 350 which bound theopening 244 at the upper and lower sides respectively. Bezel 244 alsoincludes inwardly tapered side walls 352. Walls 348, 350 and 352 form afunnel shaped throat so as to facilitate movement of envelopes into andout of the opening 244. Further bezel front wall 340 includes anaperture 354. In the exemplary embodiment aperture 354 enables userobservation of illumination devices such as LEDs that are selectivelyilluminated responsive to the controller. This provides for thecontroller to illuminate the lighting devices so as to draw a user'sattention to the opening 244 at appropriate times during transactions.This may include for example when the unit is dispensing an envelope toa user and/or when the user is expected to deposit an envelope into thedevice. In some exemplary embodiments the light emitting devices mayprovide for illumination in different colors and/or may flash atdifferent frequencies in response to the controller. This may furtherfacilitate guiding a user of the automated banking machine's attentionto the opening at appropriate times. Of course these approaches areexemplary.

[0215] As best shown in FIG. 50, in the exemplary embodiment gate 246includes an outward extending portion 356. Outward extending portion 356in the closed position of the gate shown in FIG. 50 overlies the insideof the upper wall 348 of the bezel. This serves to reduce opportunitiesfor unauthorized access to the interior of the machine when the gate isclosed.

[0216] Further as shown in FIG. 50, gate 246 includes a lower inwardextending portion 358. Inward extending portion 358 comprises aplurality of transversely disposed recesses which provide a generallyserrated surface in the exemplary embodiment. This surface meshes ininterengaging relation with a plurality of projections that areelongated in the direction of movement of envelopes in the transport,and which are alternatively referred to herein as zipper portions 380.In the closed position of the gate, the projections also extend throughthe serrated lead-in surface 302 of base 294. In this exemplaryembodiment the interengaging relation of the protections, the serratedinward extending portion 358 and the serrated lead-in portion 302 in theclosed position of the gate 246 helps to minimize the risk of tampering.This is achieved because deformation of the gate by persons attemptingtampering may cause the gate to interlock and jam adjacent structures soas to prevent the opening thereof. Further, the structure of theexemplary embodiment reduces the opportunities for persons to gainaccess to the interior of the banking machine through the use of pryingtools or other devices.

[0217] In the exemplary embodiment an actuator member 360 is movablymounted in supporting connection with the delivery section 218 as bestshown in FIG. 46. Actuator member 360 in the exemplary embodiment isenabled to move back and forth generally transverse to the direction ofmovement of the gate along the lines of Arrow V through the action ofinterengaging pins and slots 362. In the exemplary embodiment the slots364 have an enlarged circular end portion through which the enlargedheads of the pins 366 may be extended. However, the configuration of theenlarged end portions of the slots are such that the actuator member canonly be engaged and disengaged from certain of the pins in particularpositions. As a result the risk that the actuator member may bedisengaged from its supporting pins in any particular position in thecourse of its travel is reduced.

[0218] In the exemplary embodiment the actuator member includes a camslot 368 adjacent to the forward end thereof. The cam slot is boundedwithin the actuator by a cam surface. A cam follower 370 is inconnection with the gate 246 and is engaged in the cam slot 368. Furtherin the exemplary embodiment the cam slot 368 includes an enlarged area372 at an extreme end thereof. The enlarged area 372 is in an area ofthe cam slot beyond where the cam follower is positioned when the gatemoves between the open and closed positions. The enlarged area is usedfor facilitating assembly by providing access for the head 370 of thecam follower to extend into the cam slot. However, as is the case withthe other pin and guide structures, once the head is moved away from theenlarged area in the cam slot as would be the case at all times duringnormal operation of the mechanism, the enlarged head is unable to moveout of the engaging slot.

[0219] As shown in FIG. 46, the actuator member 360 includes a gear rackportion 374 in operative connection therewith. The gear rack portion isengaged with a rotatable gear 376 which is driven by a drive (notseparately shown). The drive is operated to rotate the gear selectivelyin either direction responsive to the controller in the banking machine.In the exemplary embodiment the condition of the gate is determined bysensing the position of the actuator member.

[0220] In the operation of the banking machine when the gate member 246is to be opened, the actuator member 360 is moved to the forwardposition shown in FIG. 47. This causes the cam follower 370 to move fromthe cam slot 368 to a relatively low position in a generallyhorizontally extending end portion of the cam slot. Because the camfollower is positioned on an opposite side of the pivot 338, the inwardextending portion 358 of the gate is moved upward beyond the opening244. This is the position of the gate shown in FIG. 23 and enables itemsto pass in and out of the transport.

[0221] Movement of the actuator member 360 rearward causes the camfollower 370 to move to an intermediate position in a middle portion ofthe cam slot 368 which is shown in FIGS. 45 and 48. In this position thegate 246 is between the open and closed positions. Further movement ofactuator member 360 rearward from the position shown in FIGS. 45 and 48moves the cam follower by engagement with the cam surface bounding theslot into a generally horizontally extending upper end portion 378 ofthe cam slot 368. In this position the gate is moved to the forwardclosed position shown in FIG. 50. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 48and 47, the upper end portion of the cam slot extends in a generallyhorizontal and a somewhat downward facing orientation. In the exemplaryembodiment this reduces the risk that the gate member can be forced openby causing the actuator member 360 to move. This results becauseexternal force applied toward opening the gate does not result in thecam follower 370 applying force on the actuator member 360 that wouldtend to cause it to translate along the direction of Arrow V. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

[0222] As previously mentioned, in the exemplary embodiment the bezelincludes in supporting connection therewith projections which arereferred to as zipper portions 380. Zipper portions 380 are operative inthe exemplary embodiment to extend in engaged relation in recesses ininward extending portion 358 of the gate member 246 and the serratedlead in surface 302 of the base 294. Zipper portions 380 extend in thedirection of transport and in interlocking relation between the openingsin the members when the gate is in the closed position. Such zipperportions may further serve to provide resistance to deformation andtampering with the gate member. Of course these structures are exemplaryand in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

[0223] Further in the exemplary embodiment circuitry and programming ofthe controller may be employed to facilitate dealing with situations andmay occur at the ATM and which may otherwise cause problems or an out ofservice condition. Such conditions may sometimes result from personssticking their fingers or other objects in the opening to the transportat times when the gate is to move from the open to the closed position.Other conditions which may occur may result from moisture entering thearea adjacent to the gate and then freezing due to the ATM beingpositioned in an outdoor environment. When this occurs the ice thatforms may cause the gate to be frozen shut. A further alternativecondition that may occur may be a situation when the envelope such asone that has been dispensed from the mechanism to a customer oralternatively one that a customer may have begun to insert, is left inthe opening in an area underneath the gate.

[0224] In an exemplary embodiment the controller in conjunction withassociated circuitry is operative to monitor at least one parameterassociated with gate movement as a function of time. In the exemplaryembodiment, the parameter monitored is current and the controller isoperative to compare a normal profile of current versus time for anormal gate opening and/or closing operation with a current versus timeprofile that is encountered during each opening and closing operation ofthe gate. This is achieved in the exemplary embodiment by monitoring thecurrent draw versus time for the drive that moves gear 376. Suchcomparisons which are ongoing in the opening and closing operations,enable detection of undesirable or unusual conditions and the controlleroperates in accordance with its programming to prevent malfunctions orto minimize damage that may result from such conditions.

[0225] If for example the gate is frozen in the closed position due tofreezing rain or other conditions, the current versus time profileencountered when the controller operates to try to open the gate wouldindicate a high electrical current in a short period of time after thegate is commanded to open. The comparison executed by the processor ofthe encountered current versus time profile to the expected profilewould indicate the anomaly to the controller which would then operate inaccordance with its programmed instructions to prevent further attemptsto open the gate and/or would indicate a problem to a user and/orservicer. Further in some exemplary embodiments the programmingassociated with the controller may continue to enable the machine tooperate to carry out transactions even though the deposit transaction isunavailable. In some exemplary embodiments the controller may furtheroperate in accordance with its programming to attempt further correctiveaction such as causing the drive for the geared actuator to go into avibratory mode of the type previously discussed through the use ofstepper motors so as to break loose any obstruction. Alternatively or inaddition the controller may operate to turn on heaters, cause a de-icingmaterial to be applied to the area of the gate or to take other actionwhich may be suitable for purposes of bringing the machine back intonormal operation. The controller may operate after attempting thecorrective action to operate the gate and take repeat or othercorrective action if a problem is still encountered.

[0226] In other exemplary circumstances a person may stick their fingersor other objects into the area of the open gate. Again, in thesecircumstances the circuitry and/or processor comparing the currentversus time profile encountered for the drive attempting to move theactuator member would detect the discrepancy between what is actuallybeing encountered and that which is normally expected. In suchcircumstances, however, the controller may operate in accordance withits programming to cause the drive to reverse the direction of theactuator so as to open the gate. In addition or in the alternative thecontroller may operate in accordance with its programming to take stepsto clear the jam. This may include for example taking repeated steps toopen and close the gate. Alternatively or in addition the controller mayoperate to cause the drive to run the transport belts and/or to dispenseand/or retract one or more envelopes from the transport so as to attemptto clear the obstructions.

[0227] Alternatively or in addition the controller within the machinethat is operative to compare the current versus time profile encounteredin a given situation to that which is normally expected may beprogrammably operated to take actions selectively depending on thenature of the profile encountered. For example, if the current versustime profile encountered shows a moderate and/or gradual rise in currentdraw as the gate is reaching the closed position, this may be indicativeof the presence of fingers, an envelope or other generally softmaterial. Alternatively if a rapid rise occurs it may indicate theinsertion of a hard substance or tool into the transport. This may beindicative of a burglary attempt or other malfunction, and appropriateauthorities may be notified. This may be done in the manner indicated inU.S. Pat. No. 5,984,178, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference. Alternatively, the ATM or associated device may be operativeto capture and store images of the user and/or the machine. This may bedone in the manner shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,810, which is alsoincorporated herein by reference. The controller may operate to takeactions based on its programming responsive to the profile encountered.

[0228] Further in some exemplary embodiments the features associatedwith monitoring the current versus time profile in a given situation andcomparing it to an expected current versus time profile may be combinedwith other sensing features such as sensing the position in which thegate encounters the obstruction, sensing the area of the gate with theobstruction, the temperature in the area of the gate and otherappropriate sensors so as to enable the controller to make selectivedeterminations as to actions to be attempted. Of course, theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other or additionalapproaches may be used.

[0229] As previously discussed, in an exemplary embodiment a recordingdevice which comprises an inkjet printer is used. As shown in FIG. 51,in the exemplary embodiment an inkjet printer 382 comprises a removablecartridge that is mounted with a print head including nozzles adjacentto platen 214. The inkjet printer is operated such that ink is sprayedout of the nozzles in the print head to produce patterns of indicia ontoenvelopes that pass through the transport in supporting connection withplaten 214. In the exemplary embodiment the inkjet printer is operativeto produce the indicia by directing ink through an opening in a wiperdevice 384 as later discussed.

[0230] In the exemplary embodiment a mechanism for catching excess inkwhich is not deposited onto envelopes, as well as which helps tomaintain envelopes in an appropriate position is provided. In theexemplary embodiment this is accomplished through an ink spittoongenerally indicated 386. The exemplary form of the ink spittoon whichserves as a vessel and which includes a generally hollow body 388 with acavity 390 therein. Cavity 390 has an opening thereto indicated 392.Opening 392 generally overlies the nozzles of the inkjet printer 382 inthe operative position of the spittoon as shown in FIG. 51. As can beappreciated, this enables ink that is output by the nozzles of the printhead to pass into the cavity 390 within the body 388 through the opening392 if no envelope or other item is present in intermediate relation inthe transport.

[0231] The exemplary form of the spittoon 386 includes a head portion394. Head portion 394 includes a pair of outward-extending arms 396which terminate in pivot pins 398. In the exemplary embodiment pins 398are releasibly engageable in opposed walls bounding the area above thecurved platen 214 to provide a pivot mount. In addition, pins 398 areengaged with such walls so as to enable the spittoon to generallyreadily rotate about the pins for purposes that are later explained, andto generally bias the opening 392 toward the location of the nozzles.

[0232] In the exemplary embodiment, the body 388 includes in operativeconnection therewith a rotatable door 400 which serves as an accessmember that enables access to the interior cavity within the spittoon.Door 400 is rotatable about a hinge portion 402 so as to enable accessto the cavity 390. Door 400 of the exemplary embodiment includesintegral snap projections 404 which are operative to releasibly engagesnap accepting recesses 406 in the side walls of the body 388 boundingthe cavity 390. Door 400 enables the interior of the cavity to bereadily accessed for purposes of cleaning ink from the interior thereof.

[0233] In the exemplary embodiment of the spittoon 386, the body 388 isconfigured to include a cam surface 408. Cam surface 408 is contoured soas to urge envelopes or other media moving inward in supportingconnection with platen 214 to be moved towards the nozzles of the inkjetprinter 382. Body 388 further includes a cam surface 410. Cam surface410 is contoured so as to direct envelopes or other media moving outwardpast the inkjet printer to be urged towards the platen 214 and theprinter nozzles. In the exemplary embodiment a generally planer surface412, which includes the opening 392, extends between cam surfaces 408and 410. Of course, this structure is exemplary and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

[0234] In the exemplary embodiment of the spittoon 386 the cavity 390includes therein a portion which extends below the opening 392. As aresult, ink which may pass into the cavity through the opening tends todrip from the interior of the lid and walls bounding the cavity and tocollect in the lower portion thereof below the opening. In the exemplaryembodiment as represented in FIG. 51, which shows the cavity incross-section, a weir 414 is provided within the cavity so as to enableink to build up therein on the lower side of the weir away from theopening 392 to a level vertically above the opening 392. Thisconstruction further facilitates the spittoon operating for an extendedperiod before it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

[0235] In operation of the exemplary embodiment circumstances may occurwhen the controller operates the machine to print indicia on envelopesduring which no envelope is present. In such circumstances, the inkpasses from the nozzles through the opening 392 and is captured withinthe cavity 388. This ink may otherwise collect on other surfaces withinthe unit eventually causing the malfunction thereof. In addition or inthe alternative, misdirected ink may result in collection of ink orother material on envelopes, rollers and other surfaces that may impedeappropriate marking of envelopes. In addition, inkjet printers maysometimes benefit from periodic efforts to test and clear inkjet nozzlesthat may become clogged. The exemplary structures enable such testing tobe done with no envelope present, as the ink can be captured within thecavity of the spittoon structure. In addition, the structure furtheravoids the need for a cotton pad or other similar structure which issometimes used in printers to collect excess ink which must be capturedwhen no media is present. In alternative embodiments sensors may beprovided on the spittoon either inside or on an outer surface thereof tosense for operational aspects of the printer.

[0236] A further useful aspect of the exemplary spittoon structure isthat the body is biased about the pins toward an overlying relation withthe nozzles of the print head of the inkjet print cartridge. The bodythereby serves to cover the inkjet nozzles and reduce the risk ofairborne dust or other contaminants collecting therein. In addition, thecam surfaces 408 and 410 serve to guide envelopes and/or other mediamoving past the inkjet printer into an appropriate position adjacent tothe inkjet nozzles so as to facilitate printing thereon. A furtheruseful aspect of the exemplary embodiment is that the pins and armstructures enable the ready disengagement of the body from the mechanismso as to facilitate replacement or cleaning. Further, the flip-open doorbounding the cavity further facilitates collecting the ink whileenabling more ready cleaning of the interior thereof. Of course, itshould be understood that these features are exemplary and in otherembodiments, other or additional features may be used.

[0237] Also, in the exemplary embodiment, tending of the nozzles of theinkjet printer 382 is achieved through movement of the wiper device 384.As previously discussed, in the exemplary embodiment, the wiper devicespans the nozzle area of the inkjet printer 382 and includes openingstherein through which the nozzles may spray ink. This is best shown inthe operative position of the member 384 represented in FIG. 57. Wiperdevice 384 includes a resilient squeegee portion 416 that extendsdownward and is adapted to engage the surface of the inkjet printerincluding the ink nozzles. A pair of opposed pin members 418 extendoutward from the wiper device 384 in an area to the rear and above thesqueegee portion.

[0238] It is best shown in FIGS. 18 and 54 the leading end 420 of thewiper device 384 is operatively connected to arm 210. In the exemplaryembodiment the wiper is made generally readily releasible from the armsuch as through a shaft and detent connection. Arm 210 is operative torotate responsive to movement of the baffle 196 by the drive assembly200. This occurs due to the action of head tend roller 208 operating ona cam surface which is operatively connected to arm 210.

[0239] As represented in FIG. 55, platen 214 as formed therein a slot422 in which the wiper device 384 is moveable. Adjacent to the slot inthe area of pins 418 are a pair of disposed ramp portions 424. Initiallythe wiper is positioned generally flush with the deposit item engagingsurface of the platen. Responsive to movement of the baffle 196, roller208 engages the cam on arm 210. Arm 210 moves and causes the wiperdevice 384 to move to the right as shown in FIGS. 54 through 57. Aswiper device 384 moves it is guided and maintained within the slot 422.As the wiper device 384 moves forward, pins 418 move upward as shown inengagement with ramp portions 424. This causes pins 418 to move upwardand on to the upper surface of the platen 214. In this position thesqueegee portion 416 continues to extend in the slot.

[0240] As the wiper device 384 moves forward the squeegee portion 416 ismoved forward across the inkjet nozzles. Wiping force is furtherprovided to the squeegee portion by the engagement of the wiper device384 with the surface 412 of the overlying body 388 of the spittoon 386.Further, once the wiper device 384 has moved to a fully-forwardposition, the controller operates the drive so as to return the baffle396 to its original position. As this occurs the wiper device 384 movesto the left as shown causing the squeegee portion 416 to again wipe theinkjet nozzles. The wiper device eventually returns to a position whereits upper surface is flush with the platen. This wiping activitymaintains the nozzles generally without an accumulation of ink adjacentthereto and helps to preserve the proper operation thereof. Further inthe exemplary embodiment this activity maintaining the proper conditionof the inkjet nozzles is accomplished in conjunction with movement ofthe baffle which provides for the picking of empty deposit envelopes andthe acceptance of deposit envelopes into the deposit holder container.Therefore because of interconnection between the gate, picking and headtending functions, the activities tending to the inkjet nozzles iscarried out when activities involving use of the printer are executed bythe machine. Of course, this approach is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

[0241] In the exemplary embodiment servicing procedures may be readilyconducted so as to service and/or replace the ink jet printer cartridge,ink holding spittoon, and/or wiper. In the exemplary embodiment aservicer commences servicing by unlocking the lock that enablesaccessing the cabinet portion of the housing where the transport islocated. As later discussed, in the exemplary embodiment the baseportion 144 of the deposit mechanism is movably mounted on slides so asto enable it to be extended outside the machine for more readyservicing. As later discussed in detail, such movement is controlled soas to minimize the risk that persons who are servicing the machine andwho only have access to the cabinet portion do not improperly accessdeposit items. Therefore in some embodiments, servicers who haveauthority to access the chest portion and remove the deposit holdingcontainer so as to enable moving the deposit mechanism out of themachine may do so, which may make conducting the service procedures eveneasier.

[0242] In the exemplary embodiment the spittoon 386 may be readilydisengaged from supporting connection with the housing by disengagingthe pins 398 extending on the head portion from the engaging recesses onthe housing. This enables the spittoon to be moved away from the nozzlesof the ink jet printer as well as to be moved outside the machine.Thereafter a servicer may open the door 400 on the spittoon to accessthe internal cavity and remove the accumulated ink therefrom.Alternatively a servicer may replace the spittoon with ink therein witha different spittoon which has no accumulated ink therein. The servicermay thereafter replace the emptied spittoon or replacement spittoon inoperative connection with the housing of the machine by engaging thepins thereon with the housing.

[0243] In addition, preferably with the spittoon removed from themachine, a servicer may choose to clean or replace the wiper. This maybe accomplished by the servicer disengaging the wiper 384 from the arm210. Such disengagement enables the wiper, including the squeegeeportion thereon, to be moved outward from the opening in the platen 214in which the wiper is normally positioned. With the wiper removed, aservicer may clean and/or inspect the wiper, replace it in the opening,and reengage the wiper with the arm. Alternatively, a servicer maychoose to replace the wiper with a new one. In such case the servicerwill place the substitute wiper in the opening in the platen andreconnect the arm. As generally it will be more efficient to replace thewiper with the spittoon removed, the servicer will reinstall thespittoon in movable engagement with the housing after the wiper isreinstalled.

[0244] Alternatively or in addition, a servicer may at the time ofserving the spittoon and/or the wiper replace the inkjet printercartridge 382. As previously discussed, the printer cartridge is made tobe removably mounted in supporting connection with the housing. This ispreferably done through deformable members which provide secureengagement for the cartridge but which enable rapid snap disengagementfrom the housing as well as the electrical connections to the cartridge.A replacement cartridge may thereafter be substituted and placed inengagement with the housing. In some methods of servicing, the servicermay replace the cartridge without removing the spittoon or wiper, or mayremove and/or replace certain items without replacing the other. Theapproach taken will depend on the particular circumstances and thereason for servicing.

[0245] Generally once the servicer has conducted the service activitiesthe servicer will operate the machine so as to test the operation of thetransport and the printer. This may be done, for example, by passing anenvelope through the transport and printing indicia thereon. In anexemplary embodiment the servicer provides one or more inputs to themachine so that the controller is operative to cause the printer toprint test patterns of indicia so as to verify that the printer isworking properly. Once the servicer has verified that proper operationof the printer and transport is occurring, the servicer may close thehousing and return the ATM to service. Of course these methods areexemplary and in other embodiments other methods may be used.

[0246] The deposit holding container 128 and associated structures usedin an exemplary embodiment are now described in connection with FIGS. 58through 66. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the container128 comprises a holding body 426 which is comprised of generally rigid,plastic material. The holding body 426 includes a pair of outwardextending lip portions which include retaining lips 428 which in theoperative position of the container extends horizontally. A projectingportion 430 extends on the container generally vertically upward abovethe lips 428. In the exemplary embodiment the projecting portionincludes a plurality of apertures 432.

[0247] A housing 434 is sized to engage projecting portion 430. Thehousing 434 includes projecting clip members therein which are adaptedto engage the apertures 432 in the projecting portion. As shown in FIG.60, the housing 434 includes surfaces adapted to both overlie andunderlie the projecting portion 432.

[0248] A generally flexible tambour door 436 is adapted to engagehousing 434. Tambour door 436 is preferably comprised of plasticmaterial and includes a generally rigid end portion 438 and a generallyflexible portion 440. The flexible portion of the exemplary embodimentis comprised of connected transversely extending slat structures. Endportion 438 includes a generally rigid, upward-extending ledge 442, thepurpose of which is later discussed in detail. The transverse ends offlexible portion 440 include a plurality of T-shaped cover projections444. As best shown in FIG. 60 housing 434 includes a recessed trackportion 446 on each transverse side thereof. Projections 444 extend inand are enabled to move along the track.

[0249] A cover 448 fits in snapped, overlying relation of housing 434.Cover 448 includes a track portion 450 which corresponds to trackportion 446 and overlies projections 444. The track portions form asurrounding track in which the cover protections are constrained tomove. Cover 448 engages housing 434 in fixed relation such that oncethey are joined they are not readily separated, and thus the projections444 attached to the tambour door are enabled to slide in the tracksformed by portion 446 and 450 so as to enable the tambour door toselectively open and close an opening 452 that extends through thecover. As the tambour door moves to the open position, the flexibleportion of the tambour door moves into the interior area of thecontainer. In the exemplary embodiment cover 448 also includes anopening 454 for mounting a cylinder key lock therein. The key lockassociated with a cylinder in opening 454 may be used for purposes thatare later discussed. Further in the exemplary embodiment a handle 456 ispivotally mounted in connection with ears 458 that are molded intoholding body 426.

[0250] In the exemplary embodiment, the deposit holding container 128 isreleasibly mounted within a chest portion of the banking machine. Inoperation of the exemplary embodiment only authorized persons areenabled to have access to the chest portion. However, in the exemplaryembodiment other portions of the deposit accepting mechanism such asthose components which are supported above the base 144 are adapted tobe positioned in the cabinet portion and outside the chest. While thisfacilitates servicing of those components outside the chest, it maypresent risks. Unauthorized persons who gain access to areas of themachine outside the chest may attempt to gain access to the interior ofthe deposit holding container through the tray opening 204, whichcorresponds to an opening in the dividing wall that bounds the top ofthe chest. This must necessarily be accomplished, however, by moving themechanisms which provide for dispensing of envelopes and movingenvelopes to and from the outer end 122. In embodiments where suchmechanisms are mounted in supporting connection with the chest in waysthat prevent such mechanisms from being cleared away, this may provideadequate security.

[0251] In other embodiments, however, it may prove desirable tofacilitate more ready servicing of the deposit-accepting mechanism thatis positioned above the secure chest. This is accomplished in someembodiments by mounting the base 144 in movable supporting connectionwith slides 460 which are shown in FIG. 8. In exemplary embodiments theslides are in supporting connection with the dividing wall and may beused to move the base and deposit mechanism and components supportedthereon away from the operative position so as to facilitate theservicing thereof. In some exemplary embodiments a service door locatedon the rear of the machine to the cabinet portion may be unlocked andopened, and the base and other associated components moved outward therethrough in supporting connection with the slides 460. Because in suchembodiments there is a risk that unauthorized persons may gain access tothe area above the chest and move the mechanism so as to access thedeposit envelope opening in the top of the chest, it may be appropriateto provide a mechanism for reducing the risk of this. This is done inthe exemplary embodiment through an interlock mechanism that is shown inconnection with FIGS. 63 through 66.

[0252] In this exemplary form of the interlock mechanism container 128is supported within the secure chest by engagement of the lower side ofeach lip portion 428 along each long side of the container with aninward extending projection 462 located on each side of the container(see FIG. 65). Projections 462 enable the container to be slid into andout of the operative position when the door to the secure chest portionis unlocked and open. In an exemplary embodiment the orientation of thecontainer and chest door is such that the container cannot be moved fromthe operative position unless the chest door is open. A latch 464 of theinterlock mechanism which is rotatable about a pivot 466 includes aprojection 468. The projection 468 is aligned with an opening 470 in thedividing wall bounding the chest portion and is operative to engage anopening 472 in the base 144 when the base is in an operative position.

[0253] When the deposit holding container 128 is installed in theoperative position within the chest portion, the latch 464 is engagedwith the cover 448, which causes the projection 468 to extend fullyupward and engage the opening in the base 472. This is shown, forexample, in FIGS. 63 and 64. In this position of the projection 468, thebase 144 is generally prevented from being moved on slides 460 to aservicing position in which the deposit mechanism is moved away from thedeposit envelope opening. As a result, when the deposit-holdingcontainer is within the chest portion such that it may contain deposits,unauthorized persons who access the cabinet portion are generallyprevented from moving the base so as to gain access to the opening inthe chest that may allow them to access such deposits.

[0254] However, in circumstances where the chest has been opened and thedeposit-holding container has been removed from the chest, indicatingthat an authorized person has secured access to such deposits, the baseis enabled to be moved in connection with the slides 460. This isenabled because the withdrawal of the deposit-holding cassette causesthe latch 464 to fall, retracting projection 468 from the opening 472.This enables movement to the base 144 in supporting connection with theslides 460 to a position in which the depository mechanism extendsoutside the housing. Of course, it should be understood that thisapproach is exemplary and in other embodiments other interlockingmechanisms and approaches may be used.

[0255] A further useful aspect of an exemplary embodiment is the abilityto automatically cause the tambour door to be opened upon insertion ofthe deposit-holding container into the operative position, and tofurther cause the tambour door to automatically be locked when thedeposit-holding container is removed from the machine. This is achievedin the exemplary embodiment by the housing including therein a lockmechanism 474 shown in FIGS. 62 and 67. Lock mechanism 474 includes arotating member 476 which is in operative connection with a key cylinderand which can only be rotated from the outside of the cassette by havingan appropriate key in the key cylinder. Rotating the member 476 in acounter-clockwise direction from that shown in FIG. 67 causes engagementand clockwise rotation about a pivot of a latching member 478. Latchingmember 478 includes thereon a lock projection 480. Once moved to theopen position, a lock projection is temporarily held therein by atrigger member 482. Trigger member 482 includes an extension 484 whichholds the latching member 478 in an unlocked position against a biasingforce provided by a spring 486 which operates to urge the latchingmember 478 to move in a counter-clockwise direction as shown.

[0256] In the exemplary embodiment trigger member 482 is accessiblethrough an opening 488 that extends through the housing 434. A flatportion 490 of trigger member 482 is biased toward the openingresponsive to biasing force imparted by a spring 492, which is alsoschematically shown.

[0257] Extending on an interior face of end portion 438 of tambour door436 is a formed latch projection 494. Latch projection 494 is contouredto engage lock projection 480 on latching member 478 when the latchingmember 478 is in the position shown in FIG. 62. In the exemplaryembodiment this enables the tambour door to be latched and held in aclosed position. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 62 and 67, after thekey has been used to open the lock, the latching member 478 is held inthe position shown in FIG. 67 by the action of trigger member 482 inengagement therewith. In this position the tambour door may be openedand closed as the latch projection 494 may move freely into and out ofthe area adjacent to lock projection 480.

[0258] Thereafter if the door is made ready to lock by moving thetrigger member 482, the latching member 478 will move responsive tobiasing force to the position shown in FIG. 62. This is generallyaccomplished by extending an arming pin or other projection through theopening 488 so as to engage the flat portion 490 of the trigger member.Once the latching member 478 has moved to this position, the nextclosing of the tambour door will cause the latch projection 494 toengage with the latching member 478 and be held in engagement therewithuntil the rotating member 476 is rotated counter-clockwise using the keylock. This is used in conjunction with an exemplary form of theinvention to provide the capability for inserting the deposit holdingcontainer into its operative position, and thereafter causing thetambour door of the deposit-holding container to automatically close andlock as it is removed.

[0259] As is represented in FIG. 66, a downward-extending engaging lever496 is operative to engage the upward ledge 422 of the tambour door asthe container is moved toward the operative position in the ATM. Whenthe deposit-holding container is moved into position and the lock is inan unlocked position, the tambour door is moved to open by the slidingaction necessary to install it in position. In the exemplary embodimentthe deposit holding container may be installed with the tambour dooropen or closed, and if the door is closed it will be opened byinstallation. Further, the engaging lever is operative in the exemplaryembodiment to nest in a recess 498 which is formed in the end portion438 of the tambour door (see FIG. 69). This enables the engaging leverto engage the tambour door in the recess 498 such that when the depositholding container is removed from the machine, the tambour door is movedto a closed position. Thereafter additional force applied to thecontainer causes the engaging lever 496 to move out of the recess andallows the deposit-holding container to be removed from the machine.

[0260] Further in an exemplary embodiment a pin is mounted in a suitableposition relative to the deposit-holding container within the housing ofthe ATM such that when the deposit-holding container has been fullyinserted into the operative position, the pin extends through theopening 488 and moves the trigger member 482. Thus although the lockmechanism 474 is initially in the open position shown in FIG. 67, whenthe container is inserted into the machine, the tripping of the triggermember causes the lock to move to the position shown in FIG. 62 once thetambour door has been opened. Thereafter when the deposit-holdingcontainer is removed the lock projection 480 engages the latchprojection 494, holding the tambour door in a closed position so as tosecure the deposits therein until the container is unlocked by a personhaving an appropriate key. This facilitates the management of depositeditems and minimizes the risk of loss. Further, in the exemplaryembodiment because the components associated with the container arestructured in the manner shown, efforts to obtain unauthorized access todeposits within the container will cause readily observable evidence ofthe fact that unauthorized access has been obtained. Of course, itshould be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

[0261] A further useful aspect of the exemplary embodiment of thedeposit-holding container is that although the structures aretamper-indicating, it is nonetheless possible to achieve replacement byauthorized persons of the tambour doors in situations where the doorshave become worn or otherwise are in need of replacement. As shown inFIGS. 59 and 61, the exemplary form of the track 446 in the housing 434includes on a lower side thereof a frangible portion which is referredto herein as section 500. Further, the cover 448 includes a recessedarea 502 in the lip overlying the track 450 which corresponds to thefrangible section 500. Of course, it should be appreciated althoughthese features are shown on only one side of the container, exemplaryembodiments include such features in the tracks located on each side.

[0262] As shown in FIG. 59, the frangible section 500 may be broken atone side once the door has been opened, and the now movable portiondisplaced upwardly at the one side into the recessed area 502. Thisproduces an inward facing opening in the track. Thereafter by moving thetambour door in the direction of arrow X and downward into the interiorof the container, the tambour door may be separated from the tracks bymoving the protections out of the tracks. When separated from the tracksthe tambour door may be removed from the container through the openingand a new tambour door installed with the projections 444 extending inthe tracks. Thereafter the frangible section may be returned to itsoriginal orientation bounding the track and the new tambour door willoperate in the manner previously described. Further replacements of thedoors are possible by again moving the previously broken section 500into the recess. Thus in this exemplary embodiment, the tambour doorswhich may become broken, worn or damaged may be replaced by authorizedpersons without having to disassemble and reassemble the tops of thecassettes. This facilitates making exemplary embodiments in a mannerwhich provides for the generally permanent attachment of the variouspieces and promotes the properties previously discussed of providing anindication when tampering with the deposit-holding container isattempted. Further in alternative embodiments the frangible section maycomprise a section bounding the track which is movable but does notrequire any initial breakage of a surface bounding the track. Forpurposes of this disclosure a frangible section will be considered asection that is deformable so as to separate from an adjacent surface toenable the tambour door to be separated from a track, regardless ofwhether breakage of a member is required. Of course, it should beunderstood that these features are exemplary and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

[0263] As previously discussed, in exemplary embodiments the base 144which supports the deposit-accepting mechanism components locatedoutside the chest may be movably mounted in supporting connection withthe housing slides 460. This enables extending the depository mechanismoutside of the housing for service and then enables return of themechanism back into the operative position. In such embodiments thebezel 242 at the outer end 122 of the transport must be made to alignwith a corresponding opening in a fascia of the machine. This maypresent issues related to achieving alignment of the bezel with suchfascia openings. To minimize the need for precise fascia alignment insome exemplary embodiments, provision is made to provide fascia sectionswhich are in supporting connection with the housing yet movable relativeto other portions of the fascia. This is represented in FIGS. 69 and 70in connection with an exemplary fascia plate 504. Fascia plate 504 is inoperative connection with the external fascia of the banking machine.However, it is mounted in a manner such that it is enabled to movesomewhat in two (2) dimensions relative thereto. This engagement isachieved in an exemplary embodiment through a sandwich-type structurebut in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

[0264] As shown in FIG. 69 the rear of fascia plate 504 includes a pairof lateral guides 506 and a vertical guide 508. Further in the exemplaryembodiment fascia plate 504 includes projections 510 which form a pocketinto which the bezel 242 may nest in aligned relation.

[0265] As a result when the deposit-accepting mechanism is moved from aservicing position in which it is extended outside the machine on guides460, to an operative position, the bezel 462 engages guides 506, 508 and510 to cause the fascia plate 504 to move relative to the fascia to anappropriate position such that opening 512 in the fascia platecorresponds to the location of the bezel and the deposit acceptingopening in the bezel. As can be appreciated, this exemplary approacheliminates the need to maintain a precise aligned arrangement betweenthe devices and the fascia as the moveable fascia plate can compensatefor modest misalignment. Of course, it should be appreciated that thesefeatures may be applied to other devices as well which are required tomate with the fascia of the machine. Of course, it will be appreciatedthat these structures shown in connection with the deposit-acceptingmechanism are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may beused.

[0266] Exemplary embodiments enable the controller and other circuitrythat may be operative in the banking machine to sense conditions thatmay be indicative of conditions and problems with the deposit mechanismor other banking machine components. This is accomplished in anexemplary embodiment by a series of sensors which are schematicallyindicated in connection with FIG. 68. These sensors include in theexemplary embodiment exit sensor 248 which is operative to senseenvelopes or other objects adjacent to the outer end 122 of thetransport. In addition, the exemplary form of the invention includes amid-transport sensor 514 similar to sensor 248 which is operative tosense envelopes and other objects in the transport section and may beutilized in conjunction with sensing fingers that extend in slots 312 insection 290 previously discussed. Sensor 232 previously discussed andwhich may also be similar to sensor 248 senses envelopes or otherobjects on the platen adjacent to the gap 188. A gate position sensor516 is operative to sense the position of the gate through thepositioning of actuator member 360. An internal gate sensor 518 isprovided so as to sense the position of the baffle 196 relative to thebase 144. In the exemplary embodiment at least two (2) sensors areutilized for this purpose so as to facilitate sensing of the baffle inits different positions. A container full sensor 520 is provided in thearea through which envelopes pass to enter the container in order todetermine if the container is full. Further, a container presence sensor522 is provided for purposes of determining if the cassette is installedin proper position within the machine. Finally, a printhead sensor 524is provided for sensing the operative position as well as otherproperties of the printhead. Of course, these sensors in their relativepositions within the mechanism are exemplary. Additional or other typesof sensors may also be used. Further, sensors of various types may beemployed in connection with embodiments to achieve these functions. Forexample, while contact sensors have been described in connection withthe exit sensor 248, sensor 232 and the mid-transport sensor 514, othertypes of sensors such as photo sensors, radiation sensors, inductionsensors, sonic sensors, capacitance sensors, voltage sensors, currentsensors or other types of sensors may be alternatively or additionallyused.

[0267] In operation of the exemplary embodiment the sensors aregenerally monitored for changes in condition and are operative to sendsignals which notify the controller or other circuitry of any change incondition. When this occurs in circumstances where the controller hasnot commanded the mechanism to be performing a function which wouldcause this event, an asynchronous event is noted by the controllingsoftware. The nature of this event is noted and the controller may takeaction in accordance with its programming to carry out an appropriatefunction. For example, if an item is sensed in the transport by themid-transport sensor, in circumstances where the controller has notoperated to cause an item to be within the transport, the controller maybe programmed to indicate an alarm condition. The controller may operateto notify an appropriate servicer or other authorities of a possibletampering activity with regard to the machine.

[0268] In a similar manner when the machine is operating to dispenseenvelopes or receive envelopes therein, the controller operates inaccordance with its programming to sense if the sensors detectappropriate activities in the proper sequence and at the appropriatetimes. These events are compared through operation of the controller tostored data in a data store which correspond to event sequences whichare expected to occur in the course of such operations. If during theseoperations an abnormal event or an abnormal sequence of events occurs,the computer will operate in accordance with its programming to try tocorrect the abnormal event and/or to record and give notice of tamperingevents. For example, if a user is requesting a deposit transaction andif as soon as the deposit gate moves to an open position, the presenceof an item is sensed at the exit sensor within the transport before anenvelope has been sensed at the mid-transport sensor 514, it is likelythat someone is attempting to insert a burglar tool into the transport.In such circumstances the controller may operate to cause the machine tomove the baffle 196 to the appropriately closed position preventingaccess to the deposit-holding container. Likewise, the controller mayoperate in accordance with its programming to send a notice toappropriate personnel to advise of the suspected tampering event. Inaddition or in the alternative, the controller may operate to causeassociated cameras or other warning devices to operate so as to givenotice of the event and to capture information such as images showingthe identity of the person who was involved in operating the machinewhen such an event occurred. Of course, these approaches are exemplaryand in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

[0269] While the exemplary embodiments has been described with respectto deposited items which are envelopes, the principles of the inventionare not limited to such items. The principles of the present inventionmay be employed with regard to tickets, checks, money orders, notes andother types of items which may be deposited in or dispensed fromautomated banking machines. In addition, the principles described may beapplied in situations where operators of such systems need to acceptmonetary deposits or other items. Numerous alternative approaches withinthe spirit of the principles described will be apparent to those skilledin the art from the foregoing disclosure.

[0270] Thus the apparatus and methods described achieve at least some ofthe above stated objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered in theuse of prior devices and systems, solves problems and attains thedesirable results described herein.

[0271] In the foregoing description certain terms have been used forbrevity, clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitationsare to be implied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptivepurposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, thedescriptions and illustrations herein are by way of examples and theinvention is not limited to the exact details shown and described.

[0272] In the following claims any feature described as a means forperforming a function shall be construed as encompassing any means knownto those skilled in the art to be capable of performing the recitedfunction, and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shownin the foregoing description herein or mere equivalents thereof.

[0273] Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: (a) accessing an interior area of acash dispensing automated banking machine; (b) disconnecting an inkcapturing vessel from overlying relation of a nozzle locationcorresponding to an operative position of nozzles of a printhead,wherein the vessel is adapted to capture ink not deposited on envelopesin the banking machine; (c) removing the vessel from the interior of thebanking machine.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein (b)comprises disconnecting a pair of opposed pins in supporting connectionwith the vessel, from movable operative engagement with a housing of thebanking machine, wherein prior to disengagement the vessel is pivotallymovably mounted relative to the housing and an opening to an interiorcavity of the vessel is pivotally biased toward the nozzle location. 3.The method according to claim 2 and subsequent to (c) furthercomprising: (d) moving a movable access member on the vessel to enableaccess to the interior cavity thereof.
 4. The method according to claim3 and subsequent to (d) further comprising: (e) removing ink from theinterior cavity of the vessel.
 5. The method according to claim 4 andsubsequent to (e) further comprising: (f) moving the movable accessmember to close access to the interior cavity of the vessel.
 6. Themethod according to claim 5 and subsequent to (e) further comprising:(g) engaging the opposed pins in supporting connection with the bankingmachine housing, wherein the vessel is pivotally mounted relative to thehousing about the pins and the vessel opening is generally aligned withthe nozzle location.
 7. The method according to claim 6 and subsequentto (a) further comprising: (h) disconnecting a wiper from an actuator inthe machine, wherein the wiper includes a squeegee portion that engagesthe nozzle when the wiper is moved responsive to the actuator.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7 and further comprising: (i) removing thewiper from overlying relation of the nozzle location.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8 and subsequent to (i), further comprising: (j)placing a wiper in overlying relation of the nozzle location; (k)connecting the wiper placed in (j) with the actuator.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9 wherein a print cartridge includes the nozzles, andfurther comprising: (l) replacing the print cartridge with a replacementprint cartridge.
 11. The method according to claim 9 and subsequent to(g) further comprising: (h) dispensing ink from the nozzles, wherein inkpasses through the opening and collects in the interior cavity of thevessel.
 12. The method according to claim 11 and further comprising:receiving a deposit envelope in the banking machine; moving the depositenvelope in the machine through a transport; printing indicia on thedeposit envelope with ink output by the nozzles when the depositenvelope is in the transport.
 13. The method according to claim 12wherein during moving of the deposit envelope through the transport,further comprising, moving the vessel relative to the housing throughengagement with the deposit envelope.
 14. The method according to claim13 and further comprising: dispensing an empty envelope from themachine; and prior to delivering empty envelope from the machine,printing indicia on the empty envelope through ink output from thenozzles.
 15. A method comprising: disengaging from supporting connectionwith a housing inside a cash dispensing automated banking machine, apivotally mounted vessel including a cavity therein and an openingthereon to the cavity, wherein prior to disconnecting the vessel theopening is generally overlying a nozzle location of ink spraying nozzlesof a print cartridge; (d) removing the vessel from inside the bankingmachine.
 16. The method according to claim 15 and further comprising:(c) disconnecting a movable wiper from an actuator in the machine,wherein the wiper includes a squeegee portion which moves over thenozzle location responsive to movement of the actuator.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16 and further comprising: (d) subsequent to (c)connecting a movable wiper and the actuator; (e) engaging a vessel inmovable supporting connection with the housing, with an ink acceptingopening in overlying relation of the nozzle location.